"We are here on the 85th anniversary of the Nazi German invasion of Poland to pay tribute to the heroes who defended our homeland and to remind the world of their sacrifice," said Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The commemoration began at 4:45 AM, marking the exact moment 85 years ago when the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein shelled the Polish military outpost at Westerplatte, initiating World War II.

During the ceremony, the heroism of the defenders of Westerplatte was remembered, who for seven days resisted the German aggression, becoming a symbol of the unyielding fight for freedom.

"Today, we must say: 'never again alone.' It must never happen again in history that Poland faces aggression alone. 'Never again alone' is our commitment to continue building the North Atlantic Alliance and uniting Europe to defend our homeland and our civilization," emphasized the Prime Minister.

Westerplatte is a symbol of the courage, determination, and resilience of the Polish people. Reflecting on those tragic events, it is essential to preserve the memory of the war's victims and to pass on to younger generations the values that formed the foundation of the struggle for freedom during World War II.

During the commemoration, Minister Bodnar laid a wreath at the Monument to the Defenders of the Coast and participated in the singing of the Polish Army's Representative Song.