God Bless the Poles

Polish Army Lt. Col Andrzej Kujawa, Commander, Civilian Military Cooperation Unit, Camp Echo, shakes hands with Iraqi doctors following a site survey at a medical clinic in Ghammas. The Polish CIMIC funds, contracts, and inspects projects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dawn M. Price)

As an American of Polish ancestry, I am forced to admit that I feel a certain pride when occasionally reminded of the contribution Poland has been making to the War on Terror, and in particular to the War in Iraq. I felt that way again when I saw the picture above. Photo and caption courtesy of the Multi-National Force web site HERE.

Actually, it's a bit difficult to explain. What these images evoke in me, I guess, is a feeling of brotherhood... of solidarity. In a sense, I am reminded that I am an American only by the grace of God. If my grandparents had decided not to emigrate to America back in the early 1900s, I would have most likely been born in Poland. And if I was Polish rather than American... it's good to know somehow that my country would be allied with America in this struggle against terror and Islamofascism. It's comforting to believe that if I was Polish rather than American... that at least I would be a close friend of America.

And, somewhat 'Off-Topic', it's also comforting to know that Poland became a Christian nation before the year 970 AD. That's more than 500 years before America was discovered. That's more than 600 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.

Between 1300 and 1700 AD, the Poles defeated Mulsim invaders several times and almost single-handedly saved Europe from being overrun. They defeated the Tartars (or Tatars) and the Turks. For an interesting commentary on these battles, you can click HERE.

I guess it's in my blood. The Poles have been Christians for a 1000 years, and we've been fighting against the jihadis for 700 years. Is it any wonder that I can't understand why some want to appease the "true infidels"?