March through Prague and homage to the memory of the fallen commemorated one hundred years of the Czechoslovak Legionary Community – ČT24 – Czech Television
Members and supporters of the village first gathered in the morning on Wenceslas Square, where they listened to speeches by representatives of legionnaires and Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates). In them, the speakers recall that the legionaries fought for freedom in the First World War and the Czechoslovak Republic was established on their ideals. According to them, the Czech Republic stands on the same values.
A procession then set out from Wenceslas Square and, accompanied by military music, headed for Na Příkopě Street. It was led by units with historical battalions from the First and Second World Wars, followed by members of the army’s active reserves and representatives of several dozen units.
The goal of the parade was the National Monument in Vítkov. A solemn assembly was held here, during which the participants laid a wreath at the memorial as a reminder of the fallen soldiers.
Members and supporters of the Czechoslovak Legionnaires’ Community were greeted on the spot by Deputy Chief of General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč, Member of Parliament Jana Černochová (ODS) or Member of Parliament Pavel Růžička (YES). At the end, the Czech anthem was played. The program also included demonstrations of what the camps of the legions, uniforms, armaments and training looked like.
Saturday’s event is to commemorate the thousands of legionnaires who laid down their lives for democracy in both world wars. At the same time, ČSOL wants to express respect for current soldiers who continue the legionnaire’s legacy.
Legionnaires’ legacy
The event is part of VI. of the demonstration congress of the Czechoslovak Legionary Community, which began on Friday with a ceremonial meeting in the Pantheon of the National Museum in Prague. The celebration followed similar events of legionnaires from the time of the First Republic.
The legionary community was established throughout 1921, but it was on September 4, when it first appeared at public events in Prague. Behind the First Republic, the organization united legionnaires of all battlefields of the First World War. “The Czechoslovak legionary community represents the best of the First Republic, and I hope that it has remained in our society today. Love for the homeland, democracy, freedom, “says the chairman of the village Pavel Budinský.
After the Nazi occupation, the authorities dissolved the legionary community and it was rebuilt only shortly after the war – the Communists did not control it independently, it existed only in exile. “The communist totalitarianism of the legionary tradition purposefully pushed and misinterpreted them. And so consistently that after 1989 it was not possible to renew the objective elaboration of this issue, “approved Tomáš Pilvousek, a member of the Republican Committee of the Czechoslovak Legionary Community.
The village started its activities again only after the Velvet Revolution. In 2001, it became a fully independent organization. Today, as before, she cares for war veterans – for example, through a social and health care program.
“As the chairman of the Czech Legionary Community and at the same time the chairman of the Association of War Veterans, I currently have the opportunity to assess how the relationship between the state and war veterans is made possible. I am very happy that the company has accepted us as we are, “notes Budinský.
Ceremonial start in Vítkov
There has also been more promotion – for example, the Legion Train project shows how legionnaires used to travel and fight on the Trans-Siberian Highway. The village also searches for and takes care of places where the remains of Czechoslovak soldiers lie in various places in the world.
Last March, members of the legionary community crossed Lake Baikal along the same routes as one of the legionnaires, General Sergei Vojcechovsky, led their troops more than a hundred years ago.
At present, the legionary community has almost four thousand members. It brings together modern war veterans or those interested in military history, but anyone can enter it.