MARIAN FIJAŁ 1921 - 2012
I don't want to say the same old thing about our friend Marian Fijal that one usually says on such occasions: he was born, he lived, he died. After all, Marian was one of the most well-known and meritorious figures in our Polish-Canadian community and he left behind large footprints: footprints that will forever remain a part of the veterans' heritage, but not only that. If you will allow me, I would like to focus on precisely those parts of his life: he was first of all a solider, then a combatant and ultimately a very active member of Polish-Canadian organizations.
Born in 1921 in Zalesie, in Poland's Tarnopol province, Marian began his military career at an early age. At only 18 years of age he graduated from the Non-Commissioned Infantry Officers School at Śrem. In 1939 war broke out and Marian took part in the September Campaign, a war which unfortunately was impossible for us to win. His unit was demobilized and he returned home but not for long. In 1940, together with his entire family, he was deported to Siberia by the Soviets. Just like thousands of other Poles, he and his family went through hell – humiliation, starvation, disease, the deaths of loved ones. As a result of the 1941Sikorski-Majski pact, the Soviets agreed to allow the formation of a Polish army. Marian didn't hesitate, travelling to a recruitment centre in Uzbekistan to enlist. Everyone here is familiar with the story of General Anders' army, and this is also part and parcel of Marian's story: leaving behind the cursed Soviet land, which had wrought so much pain on him, through to Persia and finally to Palestine where Marian joined the Carpathian Lancers Regiment. Marian is fascinated by aviation and when the opportunity arose, he promptly volunteered to go to England and serve in the air force. There, in 1942, he was assigned to 304 Bomber Squadron, where he served as technician and mechanic, as well as taking part in operations. After demobilization in 1948, Marian emigrated to Canada. Almost immediately he begins volunteering in Polish organizations – among others, the Polish National Alliance and the Polish Combatants' Association. The SPK especially would play a big role in his life. Of course, this is no surprise. Marian still considered himself a solider and like most of his colleagues, he was on a mission to fight for the independence of Poland, ruled against the will of the nation, by the communists. As an air force veteran, he naturally becomes a member of the Association of Polish Pilots – in the Warsaw Wing, taking part in many initiatives alongside legendary pilots such as Janusz Żurakowski, Kazimierz Szrajer and Tadeusz Sawicz. He served as the President of Warsaw Wing from 1986 to 1990 and was also the chairman of the Executive Council of PAF wings in Canada from 1988 to 1990. Because the "Warsaw wing" is affiliated with SPK Branch number 20 in Toronto, his work was de facto serving the whole of the combatants' association. It was therefore no surprise that he was a frequent member of the national executive of the SPK until finally in 1991, he became the organization's national president. He was the national president for an unbroken 12 year stretch – the longest serving president in the history of the organization. The list of initiatives that were undertaken by the executive under his leadership is too lengthy to list at this time but, I would like to highlight some of the more important ones:
- Coordinating the participation of Polish-Canadian veterans in the victory pararde in Warsaw after the fall of communism, as well as commemorations at Monte Cassino in 1994 and 1999.
- Creating the exhibit "For your freedom and ours", which has travelled to all major Canadian cities, as well as the publishing a book by the same title.
- Establishing the "Committee to help Poles in the East," and fundraising over $100,000 for this cause.
- supporting Polish efforts to join NATO by sending the Canadian government petitions and information.
- maintaining close contact with Polish officers taking English-language courses at Camp Borden, near Barrie.
His efforts and dedication did not go unnoticed. In March of 2006, the President of the Republic of Poland decorated him with one of the highest state honours: the Commander's Cross of the Order of the Rebirth of Poland. In addition, Marian was the recipient of numerous decorations – British, Canadian, and Polish – for his military service. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. It is difficult to say goodbye to someone who was our friend, our mentor, our kindred spirit, for so many years. It is impossible to gauge the impact of our loss – his optimism, his energy, and his ideas, of which he always had many. We promise you dear friend, no matter where you are now, we will continue your work and even though our organization will never be the same without you, we will not cease in our efforts. May you rest in peace.
Janusz Pietrus
Photo: tombak