recent odc activities 2008 

Embassy Honors Heroism of Home Army Action

1 February 2008

Mrs. Joan Ashe at Home Army memorial anniversary for the February 1, 1944 Home Army special action.  To Mrs. Ashe's left is Mrs. Maria “Kama” Stypułkowska-Chojecka, Virtuti Militari. (more photos)

Mrs. Joan Ashe, wife of U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, represented the American people on February 1, 2008 at the 64th anniversary memorial celebration of a Home Army action aimed against the notorious Franz Kutschera, SS General and Police Leader of Nazi-occupied Warsaw, who was responsible for the murders of hundreds of Polish resistance members and civilians.  Mrs. Ashe, accompanying the legendary Mrs. Maria “Kama” Stypułkowska-Chojecka, winner of Poland’s highest order – the “Virtuti Militari” – laid wreaths at the location of the Home Army action and at a nearby spot at the Hungarian Embassy where hundreds of Warsaw residents were executed by the SS following the Home Army's successful elimination of Kutschera.  Kama, as a young girl during World War II, served in the famous Scout Unit known as "Parasol."  She played an integral role in several key Home Army actions.  In the action against Kutschera, Kama served in the critical position of "first lookout," positively identifying the target and signaling her colleagues in the resistance about the vehicle approach of Kutschera and his SS entourage.  During her speech Kama credited Captain Adam Borys "Pług," Parasol Battalion Commander, for his excellent and dedicated leadership of Parasol and his brilliant planning of the February 1 action.  During her remarks, Mrs. Ashe emphasized the importance of the Home Army’s “brilliant and daring attack” which “delivered a huge blow to Hitler and to the enemies of freedom.”  Mrs. Ashe emphasized the importance of remembering these heroes, those gone and those still with us, and she reminded everyone to remember our soldiers fighting for our freedom on today's battlefields.

Text of Mrs. Ashe's speech:

Mrs. Joan Ashe, wife of U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe
Remarks at the Memorial Service of the 64th Anniversary of Poland’s Home Army Action Against SS General February 1, 2008

It is a special honor for me to represent the people of America while my husband, Ambassador Ashe, is in the United States on a Polish-American trade delegation. It is a wonderful privilege for me to stand-in for him today.

I met “Kama” and her two sons last year during the “Jan Karski” Award Ceremony for President Lech Walesa. I could tell from the very beginning, that Kama was a very special woman. I later learned that indeed, Kama is unique. Poland has honored her with its highest military honor -- the Order of “Virtuti Militari.”. She is a heroine; and many of those standing here with her are heroes.

When Kama invited me to join this special ceremony, I knew I had to attend.

The courageous actions taken in February 1944 by the Home Army were part of a greater effort to lift the terrible shadow which had fallen over Europe. Here in Warsaw, the Gestapo chief was executing almost 100 Poles per day. Kama -- along with her brave brothers and sisters from the Special Operations Unit “Parasol” -- orchestrated a brilliant and daring attack to eliminate this Nazi monster. For Warsaw and Poland, years of bitter fighting lay ahead, but we remember that on February 1, 1944 the heroic Polish Home Army delivered a huge blow to Hitler and to the enemies of freedom.

I thank you, Kama, for inviting me to participate today. We will never forget your bravery. May God give special blessings to our honored veterans, those living and those who have left us; may God give special blessings to Polish, American and our Coaltion partner soldiers serving in harms way abroad today, and may God continue to bless Poland and the United States of America!