Polish freedom fighters deserve place of honor
The Polish Partisans sculpture was officially welcomed Saturday at the South Boston Seaport after several years of callous disregard about its permanent home and its profound historic significance in world history. The monument was proudly on display at Boston Common in 1983, where it remained until it was surprisingly moved by the city of Boston in January 2006. The statute depicts five warweary Polish freedom fighters who heroically battled Hitler’s Nazi troops during World War II and, later, communist tyranny. The sculptor, Andrzej Pitynski, who attended the ceremony, was praised and thanked by state, city and Polish-American veterans groups for his historic contribution to American history.
Pitynski said he created the monument because he wanted the world to remember the pain and suffering that the heroic people of Poland had suffered and to remember their courage in fighting tyranny. When it was located on the corner of Beacon and Charles streets in 1983, the Partisans Memorial was praised by Pope John Paul II and Lech Walesa, who had strongly opposed both the Nazis and communism. But when Boston removed the statue in 2006, the official Russian government newspaper Pravda praised its removal. They did not want a permanent reminder of their oppression on American soil. It was relocated in September of that year to the MBTA Silver Line’s World Trade Center station.
Saturday was a special day for Boston — Sen. Nick Collins and Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George took on the challenge to restore the statue to one of the most prominent locations in America, at the intersection of D and Congress streets in Boston’s historic waterfront. They had the strong backing and support from Mayor Marty Walsh, congressman Stephen Lynch, Councilor Mike Flaherty, Councilor Ed Flynn, Gov. Charlie Baker, Rep. David Bielefeld and the Massport Authority, especially director Tom Butler.
As I told all gathered for the special ceremony on the waterfront, this is a very proud day for our PolishAmerican friends and all their admirers in this country as well as all freedomloving patriots throughout the world. I was always so proud to tell both President Walesa and Pope John Paul II about the people of Boston’s respect for Poland, especially those courageous “freedom fighters” during those difficult times.
The next day, I met a U.S. veteran at the installation of Richie Gormley as the new head of the West Roxbury Irish Social Club. He greeted me warmly and said, “Ambassador Flynn, that was a moving and inspirational ceremony yesterday for the Polish freedom fighters. As a proud grandson of Poland and a U.S. Marine, I am so happy that every time I drive by the Partisans Memorial on D Street, I will think about all those heroes in our country and across the world who fought and died for freedom and democracy.”
We must never lose interest in history, especially in honoring all those who sacrificed for a safer and better world. I felt bad when the Polish Partisans Memorial was removed from Boston Common, but now it’s restored to a prominent place for millions to see.