“SPIRAL OF VICTORY” MONUMENT HONOURING POLISH WORLD WAR II VETERANS UNVEILED IN MISSISSAUGA
On November 28th in snowy weather the ceremony of the unveiling of the "Spiral of Victory" monument took place in Mississauga, Ontario. Created by Toronto artists Ania and Wojtek Biczysko, it is the first monument in Canada dedicated to the memory of men and women serving in the Polish Air Force during World War II alongside the Royal Air Force, in the air and on the ground. Between 1940-1946 over 6,167 pilots and air crew, 10,799 ground personnel and 1,313 Women’s Auxiliary Air Force served in the Polish Air Force in Great Britain.
These men and women were represented by the two remaining veterans of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain - Boleslaw Fujarczuk (radio operator in the famous Squadron 303) and Jan Gasztold (air mechanic) who, together with the late Marceli Ostrovski (bomber pilot in Squadron 301) were the originators of the idea to build this monument.
The ceremony which took place after the mass at Maximilian Kolbe Church next to the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre where the monument stands, was attended by many dignitaries: from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ottawa: Krzysztof Lewandowski, Deputy Head of Mission, Capt. Krzysztof Książek, Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché, from Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto Consul General Magdalena Pszczółkowska along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland: Renata Trzcińska Head of the Polonia Department and Aleksandra Kucy Vice Director of Polonia department, by representatives of Canadian, British, Brazilian air forces and the three levels of Canadian government – federal, provincial and municipal with Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie as the host.
Canadian, British and Polish national anthems were played, followed by the blessing of the monument by the Maximilian Kolbe parish priest, the short speech by the veteran Boleslaw Fujarczuk, followed by The Last Post played by a bugler and The Lament played by a piper.
After the unveiling the ceremony continued indoors in the Centre with speeches by the invited dignitaries, food and a musical performance. Photographs of Polish airmen and women from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force taken during and after the war were displayed on big screens.
The monument was sponsored by the Institute of National Remembrance in Poland, Veteran Affairs Canada, Polish-Canadian organizations, and individual sponsors. The fabrication and installation of the monument was possible with the help of Mississauga based aerospace company Cyclone Mfg. and the president Andrew Sochaj.
We are profoundly grateful to our veterans and honourable members of the Committee: Bolesław Fujarczuk, Jan Gasztold and late Marceli Ostrowski. Our special thanks also goes out to our artists Ania and Wojtek Biczysko, sponsors, partners, honorary patrons and monument organizers: Ted Fujarczuk, Chris Ostrowski, Ania Biczysko, Wojtek Biczysko, Marcin Chłapowski, Hanna Deczkowska, Peter Dejnicki Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, Natalia Łabuz, Władysław Lizoń, Ted Opitz, Andrew Sochaj, Maria Świętorzecka and whose contribution helped us built this memorial and preserve the memory of those who fought for our freedom.
Marcin Chłapowski
Photo credit: Natalia Lobuz
“SPIRAL OF VICTORY” MONUMENT HONOURING POLISH SECOND WORLD WAR VETERANS
WILL BE UNVEILED IN MISSISSAUGA
The monument will recognize the brave men and women serving in the Polish Air Force alongside the RAF during the Second World War.
The Maximilian Kolbe Foundation in Mississauga along with veterans and committee members will unveil the new monument at 12:30 p.m., on Sunday, November 28th, 2021, at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga.
The “Spiral of Victory” monument idea came from a group of Polish Second World War veterans: Bolesław Fujarczuk radio-operator in the legendary Squadron 303, Jan Gasztold the last president of the Association of Polish Airmen – Warsaw Wing and Marceli Ostrowski pilot and deck gunner in one of the bombing squadrons. As 97 years old Boleslaw Fujarczuk says this monument is important to preserve the history for future generations. “I simply hope that Polish history will not be forgotten” – he added.
The monument was designed by Polish Canadian artists Ania and Wojtek Biczysko and is composed of two main parts: The Obelisk, which is a slender pyramid on a triangular base, with inscriptions and symbols on all three sides, and the dynamic, upper composition which includes sculptures of three aircrafts symbolizing “battle in the air”.
Between 1940-1946 over 6,167 pilots and air crew, 10,799 ground personnel and 1,313 Women’s Auxiliary Air Force served in the Polish Air Force in Great Britain. According to the Royal Air Force Museum in London website: “During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force welcomed into its ranks thousands of exiles from German-occupied Poland. Polish personnel served in all RAF commands and in all theatres and earned a reputation for exceptional courage and devotion to duty”.
The project was sponsored by Institute of National Remembrance in Poland, Veterans Affair Canada, Polish-Canadian organizations, and individual sponsors. The assembly of the monument was possible with the help of Mississauga based aerospace company Cyclone Mfg.
Natalia Labuz
Media coordinator
THE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE SPIRAL OF VICTORY MONUMENT
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Program of the day:
11:00 AM - Holy Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 4260 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga
12:30 PM - The official unveiling of The Spiral of Victory Monument, John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre, 4260 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga
For more information please contact Natalia Labuz at spiralofvictory@gmail.com
THE HISTORY IS BEING MADE IN FRONT OF OUR EYES
On October 20th, 2021 the major structural part of the Spiral of Victory Mississauga obelisk was installed on its base. This triangular base pyramid was bolted to the concrete foundation and will support the sculptural composition "Battle in the Air" which will be installed in a few weeks. All three sides of this pyramid will also carry three information plates. Installation was possible thanks to Cyclone Manufacturing and their installation contractor. The whole process was overseen and witnessed by Mr. Andrew Sochaj, artists and members of committee. Veteran Bolesław Fujarczuk was present and beamed with joy. His dream is becoming reality.
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
Despite initial heavy rain, a ground-breaking ceremony for the building of “Spiral of Victory” monument took place on Thursday July 8th on the grounds of John Paul II Cultural Centre in Mississauga. This will be the first monument in Canada commemorating the brave men and women serving in the Polish Air Force alongside RAF during the Second World War.
The event was started by Chris Ostrowski, the coordinator of the Spiral of Victory committee, who introduced the project. The honorary guests were a few of the surviving veterans, among them two of the three initiators of this project Boleslaw Fujarczuk (radio operator in the legendary Squadron 303) and Jan Gasztold (the last president of the Association of Polish Airmen – Warsaw Wing). The third initiator of this project, the late col.Marceli Ostrowski (pilot and deck gunner in one of the bombing squadrons), was represented by his son Chris Ostrowski.
A number of distinguished guests representing the Polish government as well as the various levels of the Canadian government honored this occasion and delivered speeches. Among them were: Ambassador of the Republic of Poland dr. Andrzej Kurnicki (via video), Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto Krzysztof Grzelczyk, ), Defence Attaché of the Republic of Poland Commander Krzysztof Ksiazek (via video), MP for Mississauga East-Cooksville Peter Fonseca, MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville Khaleed Rasheed and Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie, who has Polish roots and who delivered an inspiring speech.
There were also representatives of the Polish community organizations, of Polish language media and the designers of the monument, artists Ania and Wojtek Biczysko.
The event was hosted by Ted Fujarczuk, president of the Maximilian Kolbe Foundation in Mississauga. Wladyslaw Lizon, former MP for Mississauga East-Cooksville was the MC of this event.
The grounds of the future monument were blessed by Fr Marcin Serwin OMI from the Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga.
Ground-breaking with shovels by all veterans and distinguished guests became the highlight of this rainy morning celebration.
We would like to thank all those who attended and all who donated funds for the building of this monument. Special thanks to our main sponsors - Institute of National Remembrance from Poland and Veterans Affairs Canada.
