Commemoration of the 4-th Anniversary of the Smolensk Disaster in Russia

In addition to Poland\'s President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, mainly the key leaders of Poland\'s Conservative and Catholic elite died that day. The disaster\'s victims included: Generals serving in Poland\'s Armed Forces, high ranking Church officials, academics and intellectuals, and family members of Katyń Forest Mass Murder Victims. More Polish Generals died in the Smolensk Disaster than those killed in action during World War II.

That fateful morning, Polish Air Force One was en route to commemorate the Seventieth Anniversary of the Katyń Forest Mass Murders. In April 1940, on Stalin\'s orders and in violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions signed by the Soviet Union, Polish officers, who were prisoners of war captured by the Soviet Union in September 1939 and then imprisoned in camps at Kozielsk, Starobielsk, and Ostaszkow were shot in Katyn Forest and other killing fields in the environs of Smolensk.

While on route to the Seventieth Anniversary Commemoration of the Katyń Mass Murders, the flower of the Polish elite, aboard Polish Air Force One, again died on Russian soil, near Smolensk, in circumstances that still, to the present moment, four years later, remain unclear. We still do not know what caused this catastrophe. We still do not know who is responsible for this dreadful disaster. What we do with all certainty know is that the truth about the Smolensk Disaster hypocritically has been concealed. Less than one hour after the Smolensk Disaster the Kremlin claimed the cause of the disaster was pilot error, and asserted that all aboard Polish Air Force One died, long before all bodies were recovered. The official Russian MAK Report, and its echo, the subservient Tusk Government\'s Miller Commission Report, only reiterated the explanation given by the Kremlin soon after the Smolensk Disaster. To date there has not been an investigation of the Smolensk Disaster even though both official reports are filled with discrepancies and internal contradictions.

The religious and patriotic character of the Commemoration of the Fourth Anniversary of the Smolensk Disaster aims to fix in our collective memory the continuing relevance of the important events involving Poland and the Poles that have had world historic significance and to rededicate ourselves to the proposition expressed in Poland\'s national anthem: "Poland is not forsaken as long as we live". Since we live among our American friends, we want to share with them what we hold dear, and hope that they will be numerous at the Commemoration. We also have invited to the Commemoration members of the Polish Parliament, Polish Foreign Ministry, Smolensk Disaster family members, and representatives of several Polish and Polish American organizations.

The Commemoration will begin at 11 a.m. on Palm Sunday 13 April 2014 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa, 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901, with the laying of wreaths by guests of honor at the unveiling of the Commemorative Tablet, in the Shrine\'s cemetery, to the victims of the Smolensk Disaster. An English translation of this moving ceremony will be available. At noon, Holy Mass will be celebrated in memory of the victims of the Smolensk Disaster and for the unity of Poles who face increasing danger. After Holy Mass, a Conference featuring experts will explain in detail why the official versions of the Smolensk Disaster are inadequate and why an independent international committee should conduct a proper investigation. At this moment the Organizing Committee cannot guarantee that an English translation of the conference proceedings will be available at the Commemoration on 13 April. In tandem with the Commemoration there will be a meeting of representatives of Polish and Polish American organizations.

We, the members of the Organizing Committee, wholeheartedly invite you to participate in the Commemoration of this very important anniversary, which with your help will have world historical consequences.

www.rocznica-smolensk.us/smolensk-disaster.html