"We are bowing our heads to the patriotism and sacrifice of Polish military pilots, who sacrificed their lives for Poland," President Andrzej Duda wrote in a letter to participants in observances marking the Polish Air Force centenary in Dęblin on Friday.
A proud eagle, the king of the skies, is our national emblem. This symbol, which is so dear to all Poles, is extremely important for Polish pilots," the president wrote.
The head of state stressed that the Air Force had always served a sovereign Poland since the moment of its rebirth (in 1918).
"On November 5, 1918, Polish pilots made the first combat flight in the history of Poland," President Duda recalled, stressing that the Polish Air Force played a great role in the Polish-Bolshevik war and contributed to Poland's victory.
The president also wrote about the establishing of an air force school in Grudziądz, and later in Dęblin. "It rapidly became one of the most modern air force schools in the world," President Duda added.
He also said that the Polish Air Force had to be supported by the state, and stressed again that it was necessary to increase defence spending to 2.5 percent GDP by 2024.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP