Posted on 11/21/2011 3:33:40 PM PST by Para-Ord.45
Lech Walesa said that there would not be a free Poland without Ronald Reagan, during the unveiling of a statue in Warsaw of the late American president on Monday.
The former Solidarity leader said that as a participant in these events, it was inconceivable that such changes would have come about without the last American president during the post-1945 cold-war era. Walesa added that thirty years ago, it seemed that the fall of the communist system would not be possible without a nuclear war.
The bronze statue of Reagan has been installed not far from the American Embassy, on Ujazdowskie Avenue, one of the capital's most picturesque thoroughfares.
A statement from President Barack Obama was read out to the guests attending the ceremony, which said that: The location of this monument is a fitting reminder of the close ties between the American and Polish people, and a tribute to the strong support the United States gave Poland during its long struggle to free itself from communist rule. The three-metre high monument, designed by sculptor Wlaydyslaw Dudek, depicts Reagen nicknamed the Gipper making his famed 1987 speech at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
During the Berlin address Reagan called on his Russian counterpart, President Gorbachev, to tear down this wall.
A letter was also read from Nancy Reagan. I am touched by todays ceremony in Warsaw to recognize his accomplishments, Reagans widow writes.
My husband always felt a strong bond with the people of Poland who longed for freedom. I remember the Christmas in 1981 [after martial law had been declared] when we placed candles in our White House windows, in honour of Solidarity, as [Reagan] was determined that America would do everything it could to advance liberty, she writes.
Although the statue was created as a result of a private initiative by a group of Polish businessmen, today's ceremony was attended by a number of state dignitaries.
Poland's foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski was joined by US Ambassador to Poland Lee A. Feinstein, as well Mayor of Warsaw Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.
Three American senators also flew to Poland for the event.
Take that OWSer scum. LOL
*evil grin*
Hehehehehehehe!!!!!!
I LOVE that Lech!
When I was in Poland.....many poles figured out I was American and told me how much they appreciated us and how they loved Reagan.
Lech was a brave man. I was always surprised the Soviets did not shoot him on the curb in the dark of the night or that he turned up missing. He hung in there and told the Soviets where they could stick it. He and Poland are still around.
And if by some horrendous fluke, the current occuant gets re-elected, Poland is one of the few countries I’d consider moving to. At least they GET it.
I’ve heard a fair number of Russians where were very fond of Reagan as well. One told me that Reagan didn’t force them to look at his nose hairs while he spoke. Meaning he spoke directly to the people rather than over them.
Ron, we need you!!!! On second thought, you are in a much better place right now. God bless you for being with us when you did. ES
BTTT
Almost moved there, ourselves, to get out of Britain. I found the people there warm and full of hospitality. Unfortunately....it seems like the youth are being indoctrinated by leftists the way they are here. One female student told me about ‘pining for the old days’. “When an orange tasted like and orange because they weren’t plentiful.” I almost dropped my jaw.
When we were there, all school-aged children were required in their curriculum to tour Auschwitz.
He! Very interesting. It means they respected ‘strength and directness’.
Amen. *tears welling up in eyes*
On second thought I shouldn't insult Jimmy by comparing him to Zero.
All those words, and yet Obama couldn't mention Reagan's name at all.
-PJ
Remember, Ronald Reagan was the idiot Cowboy B-Movie Actor Bonzo who couldn’t read without a script, according to Democrats. My guess is, 20 years from now George W. Bush will be considered a great President, while President Mutt the Hoople will be villified for abolishing the Departments of Energy, Education, and Agriculture, making Ann Coulter Chief Justice of the Supreme court, approving Israel’s expansion to the original territories promised to Abraham by God (from the Nile to the Euphrates, from Turkey to Somalia, or land mass to that effect), eliminating Income, Capital Gains, and Death taxes and paying for it with a 90% tax on Liberals (after all, they DO care more so they should have the privilege showing us how much more they care).
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