US soldiers join Polish pilgrimage

The International Herald Tribune ^ | August 5, 2008 | Associated Press

[Publius804]

US soldiers join Polish pilgrimage

The Associated Press

Published: August 5, 2008

WARSAW, Poland: Hundreds of soldiers in camouflage set off Tuesday on a 10-day march to Poland's holiest Roman Catholic shrine — among them five Americans hoping to deepen ties with an ally.

Five members of the Illinois National Guard traveled to Poland to make the 180-mile (290-kilometer) trek on foot — alongside Poles, Germans and other Europeans — from Warsaw to Czestochowa, site of the revered Black Madonna icon.

Though the 300-year-old pilgrimage has deep religious and patriotic resonance in mainly Catholic Poland, the main purpose of the U.S. contingent, a tradition that has started in recent years, is to show solidarity with Poland — an ally in Iraq and Afghanistan — and other nations.

It's a chance "to come together and share a little bit, and hopefully develop closer bonds with foreign militaries in a non-combat type setting," said Master Sgt. Roman Waldron, 37, from Springfield, Illinois.

Before embarking on the pilgrimage, the pilgrims attended an early morning Mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, where a priest blessed them with holy water. They were also told to set a moral example and refrain from drinking or smoking during the march.

[SolidWood]

among them five Americans hoping to deepen ties with an ally.

Not only with one of our best allies, but also with the LORD.

[stefanbatory]

I visited that place about 11 years ago...(am not Catholic so I didn’t make a pilgrimage)

One thing that amazed me was the number of crutches, canes, etc hanging on the wall as decorations because their former owners no longer needed them. Another thing was the massive press of humanity attempting to get into the little room where the painting was displayed.

No longer remember if they charged for admission or not...

[llevrok]

among them five Americans hoping to deepen ties with an ally.

Roger that.

And damn great looking ladies too.

[Salvation]

**from Warsaw to Czestochowa, site of the revered Black Madonna icon.**

They won’t regret their pilgrimage. See the next post.

[Religion Moderator]

Please do not use potty language on the Religion Forum.

[Salvation]

I, too, made this pilgrimage going from Czestochowa to Warsaw and Wadovice. We also visited Auscwitz and Neopocalano, site of the humbel beginnings of St. Maximillan Kolbe's worldwide apostolate. Some pictures on the thread!

Welcome back, freeper Salvation! (Vanity)

[Salvation]

**No longer remember if they charged for admission or not...**

No, admission is free. The parking lot was unbelievable — so many buses.

[Aquinasfan]

I hope that prosperity doesn't destroy Poland. I fear that it's only a matter of time. I was in Poland a year or two after the Wall came down, and the Church's vitality was astoundin. I remember watching a feast day procession that included a line of about 200 nuns. Shrines and cemeteries were regularly decorated with fresh flowers.

But western media was also beginning to pour in. Hopefully Poland will resist the negative aspects of the free world for a long time.

[Aquinasfan]

No longer remember if they charged for admission or not...

Noooooo... That would be simony.

Remember the Luther thing?

[numberonepal]

And damn great looking ladies too.

And sometimes topless

[stefanbatory]

I should remember the Luther thing...;)

Was thinking of opening a pretzel cart and calling it Tetzel’s Pretzels...a heavenly food...

better throw on a /sarc tag there...

[SoCalPol]

Ping
Five members of the Illinois National Guard traveled to Poland to make the 180-mile (290-kilometer) trek on foot — alongside Poles, Germans and other Europeans — from Warsaw to Czestochowa, site of the revered Black Madonna icon.