General Waldemar Skrzypczak Passes Away at 69

The news in Polish

1. umrzeć
   przestać żyć, zakończyć życie ↩︎
2. postać  (f.)
   osoba, która odgrywa ważną rolę w jakiejś dziedzinie ↩︎
3. ogłosić
   upublicznić informację, zakomunikować coś ↩︎
4. strata  (f.)
   utrata czegoś ważnego lub wartościowego ↩︎
5. szkolić
   przygotowywać kogoś do wykonywania zadań poprzez naukę i ćwiczenia ↩︎
6. misja  (f.)
   zadanie o dużym znaczeniu do wykonania przez osobę lub grupę ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What role did Waldemar Skrzypczak have in the Polish army?

Question 2: What did Skrzypczak do after retiring from the army?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
umrzeć	die
postać  (f.)	figure
ogłosić	announce
strata  (f.)	loss
szkolić	train
misja  (f.)	mission

Read the full story

The Polish military and political spheres have been deeply saddened by the news of General Waldemar Skrzypczak’s passing at the age of 69. The announcement was made by the Minister of Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who described the event as a significant loss, both to his family and the military community. “Professionalism, dedication to the homeland, and patriotism come to mind when remembering the General,” he stated.

Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed gratitude for Skrzypczak’s contributions, particularly his training of countless soldiers and leadership in both domestic and international missions. He also acknowledged the General’s role in sharing his extensive knowledge with younger generations of military personnel.

General Skrzypczak, a prominent figure in Polish military history, served in numerous capacities, including as the Commander of the Land Forces from 2006 to 2009. His career was marked not only by his impressive service record but also by his involvement in international military missions, such as in Iraq, and his commitment to modernising the Polish army.

After retiring from active service, the General continued to influence military discourse as an expert commentator, frequently discussing defence strategies and military affairs publicly and advising the Ministry of Defence. His opinions, often candid and bold, made him a well-respected figure among military experts and the general public.

Colleagues, students, and political figures have been quick to pay tribute to Skrzypczak, describing him as a “mentor of military art” and a “charming and uncompromising soldier.” His former colleagues recall him as a leader who deeply cared about the well-being and development of his subordinates.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, Skrzypczak was not without controversy. His outspoken nature sometimes led to friction, notably leading to his resignation from the Ministry of Defence in 2013. Nevertheless, his contributions to Poland’s defence landscape were undeniable.

Born in Szczecin in 1956 and raised in a military family, Skrzypczak’s life was closely intertwined with the army. He followed in his father’s footsteps, commencing his military education in 1976, and rose through the ranks over the decades, ultimately becoming a pivotal figure in Poland’s military strategy and policy.

General Skrzypczak’s passing marks the loss of a significant voice in Polokand’s military community, one whose legacy includes not only his strategic contributions but also the lasting impact he had on those who served under and alongside him. Many have noted his commitment to improving Poland’s military capabilities and his unwavering dedication to the country’s security and defence.

Info: “Polish Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Polish”, a language school dedicated to teaching the Polish language through a variety of online courses. If you wish to learn to speak Polish, our resources provide a structured and thorough approach to mastering the language.