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The school patron's story, written on its walls

General Tadeusz Buk grew up in Mójcza. From 1967 to 1975 he attended the local primary school, which now bears his name. Over his years of military service he held senior command posts, and in 2009 he became Commander of the Land Forces. He died on 10 April 2010 in the Smolensk air disaster. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

Now his likeness has been immortalised on the school's façade. The large-scale painting shows the general against a backdrop of soldiers and military equipment, including helicopters and tanks. At its centre is the inscription "Lieutenant General Tadeusz Buk – A Diamond among Generals".

"Our community wanted our patron to be remembered not only in the school's name, but on its walls as well," Marta Puchała, head teacher of Mójcza Primary School, told Radio Kielce.

The general's memory is already part of everyday life at the school. As pupil Lena Sarnat told Radio Kielce, the school's patron features regularly in history lessons. The mural will be one more reminder to pupils of the man who grew up in their village.

The general's relatives also attended the unveiling ceremony. Speaking to Radio Kielce, his sister, Danuta Tofin, recalled her brother's deep attachment to his family and to the Kielce region. She stressed that the painting is a faithful likeness, and that the tribute has moved the family and given them great satisfaction.

The ceremony was accompanied by a school assembly and a concert of patriotic songs. Flowers were also laid at the general's monument.

A joint initiative to preserve historical memory

The mural was the idea of the Kielce Volunteer Cavalry Squadron of the 13th Vilnius Uhlan Regiment, led by Captain Robert Mazur. It was carried out as part of the project "The History of the Polish Armed Forces Written in Murals", funded by the Ministry of National Defence.

Expo Kielce also provided financial support for the mural, joining the institutions and partners involved in commemorating the general. The Daleszyce municipal authorities were also among the supporters.

Covering much of the school's façade, the mural will remind pupils every day of their patron's story. It is also another place of remembrance for the people of Mójcza – the village where General Tadeusz Buk grew up, received his first schooling and to which he remained attached all his life.

(BB)