During the ceremony organised by Witold Pilecki’s Institute, two plaques commemorating the Lubkiewicz family and the inhabitants of Sadowne gmina for their aid in the rescue of Jews were unveiled.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the history of the Lubkiewicz family constitutes the best representation of noble attitudes which Poles displayed towards their fellow countrymen. Sadowne was situated on the railway line leading to Treblinka – the place where Jews from all over Europe were exterminated. Those who managed to escape from the transport could count on the support of local families.
The inhabitants of Węgrów poviat passed the exam in humanity the Prime Minister continued, doing justice to the heroic conduct of thousands of Poles. He added that
Frequently, one loaf of bread was enough to save someone’s life. But at the same time, a single loaf of broad was often the reason behind someone’s death.
The National Remembrance Day of the Poles Who Saved Jews under the German occupation constitutes an homage to all Polish citizens who hid and protected Jews during World War II despite the fact that by doing so they risked the life of their entire family. It was established by the Polish Parliament on the initiative of President Andrzej Duda on 6 March 2018.