It is an honor for me to welcome you all to this Commemoration of the 60^th Anniversary of The Warsaw Rising. The Polish Arts and Culture Foundation has, for nearly forty years now , presented, especially  to the San Francisco community, the best of Polish Culture. Poland has much to be proud of, especially her outstanding citizens who have so affected the rest of the world. In times of strife and in times of peace, a Pole will make a difference.  Here in San Francisco, Joseph Conrad Square is across the street from The Cannery and Lech Walesa Way is around the corner from our beautiful City Hall.  Both men are stars on the Polish roster. But then, San Francisco has lured  all of us to her rolling hills and broad bay at the “end of the world” from a flat land  with rubber borders,  and generations of  robber barons.

This sixtieth anniversary of the Warsaw Rising is indeed a part of that historic culture. The experiences that have been documented,  of those 63 days, in so many ways,  tell the story of a brave, loyal and patriotic group of people of all ages,  who made a significant difference in their country’s history, in a very short period of time. The effects of that heroism are long-lasting and noble. I am sure that many of those sitting here with us today, often wondered during those two months, what tomorrow would bring, and if there would even be a tomorrow.  For many of their colleagues, there wasn’t. What you dared to do, what your friends sacrificed, and the memories that fill your heads,  have touched our hearts.

We thank you for opening your doors to us to share your stories, your mementoes, your souls. Many of you have known me since childhood and I truly treasure that friendship on a personal level. I am committed, as President of the PACF to see that what still needs to be done to define your part in Warsaw’s history will be completed soon.There is much work still left to be done, and Time waits for no one. The transcriptions, the videos, the pictures will all come together soon  to create a lasting legacy for the next generations.

Hold your heads high, as we take off our hats  to you…..you are our heroes.

First though, we are here to honor you at this very special time. On August 8, 1944 the Nazis bombed the Prudential Building in Warsaw and on September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers disintegrated in New York. The pictures we see from each are very similar. The rage the same. The grief as overwhelming. The intent? ….who knows where the insanity of it all starts. Where it will end and when. We continuously pray for those who now know peace and wish it for all of humanity. In 10,000 years, it hasn’t changed much unfortunately. A record that should be broken by now.

As solemn as todays’ anniversary is, I am confident that it is but a symbol of what you feel in your hearts. Attending the Observance on August 1^st this year in The Polish Club was like being privy to a family gathering. Anyone who went through what you all experienced, shouldn’t consider himself any less than a member of one.

 But itoday  is also a day to celebrate. Thanks to your efforts and those that followed you, Poland is finally free, facing a new tomorrow. A country now ripe with possibilities and promise. A beautiful country geographically with the Wisla like a flowing blue ribbon tying it all together. From the mountains to the sea, across striped plains and fragrant meadows….the river feeds not only the earth, but also our imaginations. Poets have written about her intoxicating affect for a millenia, and will do so for another one or two to come. A romantic heart beats in each of us. More so in some than in others. But listen to a Valse or Polonez by Chopin, hear the echo of words written by Mickiewicz, Sienkiewicz or Milosz, and you cannot escapeThe Spell. Artist’s oils have adhered to canvas trying to capture Warsaw’s majesty and mystery. I can only surmise that those types of things were what susutained you during those trying times. May the same words and music now fill your days with nostalgic  comfort, knowing that it truly was worth it all. You are more for it than you might have been and we are indeed blessed, for knowing you and counting you as our friends. Dziekujemy I Bog Zaplac!