Robert Frąszczak
Kamil’s father went for his first and last mission to Kosovo when his son was seven years old. A talented soldier and a caring father – for Kamil, who is now an adult, he was a role model and a source of inspiration, someone who left behind a void that can never be healed. He died in a tragic accident on his way home to his son.
My Dad, Robert, was born in 1972 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. He met my mom when he was still a teenager, before graduating from high school. He began his military career in the motor transport and tank unit at Piła, not far from his hometown.
When my Dad was posted with the 10th Opole Logistics Brigade, my parents decided to move almost to the other end of Poland. In 2002, my Dad went on a peacekeeping military mission with the Polish Contingent (PKW) of KFOR in Kosovo. He never returned home; he was killed while returning from the mission to Poland. Although I last saw my Dad when I was not yet eight years old, I remember to this day the moments we spent together, and I often reflect on those fond memories.
I remember him as a family-oriented, sociable man who was always smiling. He was full of energy – we often spent our time together playing soccer or riding bikes. In general, one was never bored with my Dad around. The time when my Dad left on that mission was hard for me. I remember how the weeks dragged on as I kept waiting for him to come home.
Wanting to surprise him, I started learning his favorite song by Krzysztof Krawczyk, but, sadly, I never had the chance to sing it for him. My Dad will always be with me in my heart and in my memories. He didn’t have to be a great man at all. It was enough that, in the eyes of that eight-year-old, he was a hero. He remains one to this day.
We have been supporting Kamil since 2011. Today, he is 31 years old.
Sławomir Wilczyński
Olek and Karolina’s dad lost both legs and his spleen, while two fingers on his left hand are now immobile. The firefighters were driving with their signals on. A semi-truck came along… Although he loved being a firefighter, he will not be returning to the station.
On March 17, 2011, the local firefighters received a call: a man had to be rescued. They set off with their sirens blaring. However, they never reached the injured man – the vehicle they were driving collided head-on with a semi-truck whose driver failed to yield to the emergency vehicle. Sławomir’s colleagues tried to pull him out of the wrecked cab…
Sławomir woke up in hospital. Without his legs. For the first time in his adult life, he cried. “Jesus, I was so happy. I wanted so badly to go back to my job. Even when on vacation, in the end I was already missing my job. If I could, I’d go back,”* he said. After the accident, he was visited by a man whom he had rescued from a helicopter crash a few years earlier. The man had survived but lost one leg. He came over to give Sławomir new hope: it is possible to live this way. And he was right.
Sławek still considers himself one of the firefighters. He believes he must carry forward the kindness he received from people after his accident. He supports people who have had limbs amputated or who have suffered spinal cord injuries. He helps train rescue workers preparing for missions abroad. He also plays wheelchair basketball, runs using special prosthetic devices, and offers hope to all those who would not believe that life with a disability can be lived to the fullest and maybe even more. Olek and Karolina, his children, both agree that they are proud of their Dad. “Because he’s with us. He didn’t break down.”
Olek is 23 years old today, and Karolina is 20. We have been supporting them since 2013.
*The quote is from the album “Growing Up to Death” by Magdalena and Maksymilian Rigamonti.
Krzysztof Staniszewski
Krzysztof always had a feeling he would die young, and he often talked about it with his wife. That day, the patrol car he was driving to the scene of a reported robbery collided with another vehicle at an intersection.
(…) Krzysztof often talked about death. No, not as a joke-always seriously. He’d been saying so ever since they met. That was back in elementary school.
Patrycja was 13, and he was 15. They’d already become a couple back then. One day, she came home completely distraught and confessed that Krzysio had said he wouldn’t live much longer, and that when he died, all of Poland would come to his funeral.
In May 2007, generals, politicians, officials, and police officers arrived; they paid tribute to Krzysztof, bidding farewell to a thirty-year-old police officer who had died a few days earlier in a car accident.
It happened during a chase. He was trying to catch burglars who had robbed a local deli. (…) Whenever he came back from duty, he would tell us everything that had happened that day. He was shaken whenever he intervened in homes where children were beaten and abused.
Sometimes, an attacker would assault him with a knife or an axe, or there would be a chase, or someone’s car would cut him off. He told us he had seen death many times, and he kept saying he might not make it back from duty one day. He even told Patrycja where he wanted to be buried. (…)
Zosia does not remember her Dad. She was just over two months old when he died. Anielka does not remember him either. Zosia only knows other people’s stories about her Dad. Anielka started talking very late. When her Dad passed away, she could only say “mom” and “dad.” However, she had mastered sign language to perfection. In the first few weeks after his death, every time she woke up, she would ask: “Dad?” When Grandma told her that Dad was in Heaven, she would climb out of her crib and, in one leap, she would be right at the balcony window. She would look up at the sky and wave her little hand, as if she wanted to call Dad back.
Aniela is 21 today, and Zosia is 19. We have been supporting them since 2014.
*Excerpts are taken from the book “Growing Up to Death” by Magdalena and Maksymilian Rigamonti.
Mariusz Deptuła
Julka’s Dad was a soldier. He was killed during a mission in Afghanistan. An explosive device detonated under the vehicle he was driving. Although seriously injured himself, he rescued his comrades, pulling them out of the wrecked vehicle.
Mariusz Deptuła always put his family first. Those who knew him consistently described him as an open, warm person, a good friend, a good soldier, and a father deeply devoted to his daughter.
Serving in the army was his passion. It brought him fulfillment and numerous accolades. He also loved animals, especially horses. His great passion was fishing. He tried to get all his friends interested in fishing and took his wife and daughter on his fishing trips. The birth of their child was a great joy for Mariusz and Iwona. His love for his daughter is reflected in the vast number of photos in the family album: Dad and Julka eating ice cream, Dad and Julka at the zoo, by the lake, in the park… Mariusz tried to spend every spare moment with her, even though he was rarely at home. It was as if he somehow sensed that they had little time left.
Julka remembers her dad, but she can’t recall his voice. She and her mom often revisit the recordings from the parents’ wedding day, and her mom used to tell her stories about her Dad before bedtime. On October 23, 2011, a Rosomak APV convoy was returning to the Ghazni base when an explosive device suddenly detonated under the vehicle that Mariusz was driving. He tried to save his colleagues and pulled them out of the wrecked vehicle. Unfortunately, he did not survive until help arrived, even though he was conscious when he was taken from the scene. His injuries were too severe.
Julka has been supported by the Dorastaj z Nami Foundation since 2013.
Agnieszka Gronostaj
Rafał’s mom had just bought lunch at a store near her police station when she received a call concerning a domestic disturbance. The policewoman never made it to the scene. The police car she was driving, with its emergency lights and siren on, was struck by another vehicle.
I don’t remember my mom very well. It’s only through my grandparents’ stories that I learned that she was a wonderful person, and that’s the way she will stay in my memory – Rafał says, remembering his Mom.
Agnieszka Gronostaj graduated from a medical high school but couldn’t find a job. Wanting to help people, she decided to join the police force. She had worked in community policing for five years. She often said: I’m going on duty. I might not come back. When she came home from work, she always brought small gifts for her little son – as if she sensed they didn’t have much time together left. Agnieszka consented to donating her organs after her death, so it is likely that her heart is still beating today somewhere.
Rafał is 25 years old today. We have been supporting him since 2012.
Grzegorz Kordasz
“Love grows everywhere around us…” – little Patrycja climbs onto her father’s lap, reciting a poem. Overcome with emotion, she stumbles over the words. In a few hours, Daddy will be back on duty… Grzegorz Kordasz was killed in 2016. He served in numerous military missions abroad.
My Dad was very dedicated to his service. It was his whole life. As his family, we understood this and even admired how, every day, with zeal, enthusiasm, and unwavering love for the Polish Army, he devoted himself to his duties.
In his service, he was a role model for all of us. We were proud of him and rejoiced at every promotion, decoration, and commendation he received. Every day, he instilled in us the values he himself believed in-honor, courage, honesty, and diligence. He taught us not only with words but, above all, by his own example. We noticed how he treated each of us and his colleagues, as well as how he approached his service. This helped us develop our own values and build them on a solid foundation.
Dad’s dedication to the Polish Army meant that he was often away, and we missed him dearly, especially during his overseas missions. Although we understood that this was simply the nature of his service, we did not want to be apart from him. Dad wasn’t with us during some very important events in our lives, such as our First Communion, Confirmation, and high school graduation. While our friends were celebrating these milestones with their families, we missed our father, knowing how much he wanted to be there with us.
As his only daughter, I saw him as a model father and husband, loving and caring, as someone who did everything possible to ensure his family had everything they needed and felt safe. Every moment I spent with him is precious to me, all the more so because none of those moments will ever happen again. Looking back now, I regret that there were so few moments like that together. Nothing will ever be able to replace my father, but I know that everything he taught me throughout my life helped me become the person I am today, and I will do everything I can to live according to the values he held dear.
I know that Dad was proud of each of his children and supported us in everything we did, and he would not want anything to get in the way of our education or the development of our passions.
Patrycja Kordasz, daughter of Grzegorz Kordasz
Patrycja has been a beneficiary of the Foundation since 2016. She is now 31 years old. Her brother Michał, currently 19, remains under the Foundation’s care.
Andrzej Struj
Whether in uniform or not, Andrzej would never let criminals off the hook. That is exactly why, even though he was on leave at the time, he intervened when some hooligans began vandalizing a city tram. During the scuffle, the deputy commissioner was fatally stabbed.
A little spark flickers from the ashtray toward Wojtuś. Come, let me tell you a story. It’ll be a long one. – Andrzej Struj, the deputy commissioner at the National Police Headquarters in Warsaw, would sing this lullaby to his beloved daughters.
And although only memories remain of him today, both girls like to think back to the moments they spent playing with their Dad. The girls also owe their artistic abilities to him. Krysia inherited his singing talent, while Monika loves performing on stage.
Andrzej was a wonderful, patient, and loving father to them. At the police station, too, he was well liked by his colleagues, who saw in him a good friend and mentor. Despite his reserved nature, a smile rarely left his face, and everyone could always count on him for a kind word or a piece of advice.
Andrzej was also very active on online police forums, where he shared the knowledge gained during his fifteen years of professional service. “Struś” was known as a dedicated officer, upholding law and order even outside working hours. He was once a member of the elite “Puma” unit, which specialized in pursuing car gangs.
Whether in uniform or not, Andrzej would never let criminals off the hook. That is precisely why, even though he was on leave, he intervened when hooligans began vandalizing a city tram right in his presence. Unfortunately, during the scuffle, the deputy commissioner was fatally stabbed. And although many saw him as an exemplary law enforcement officer, to Krysia and Monika, someone much more important lost his life that day.
Krysia is 21 years old today, and Monika is 23. We have been supporting them since 2011.
Andrzej Zielke
The fact that his son had just been born evoked emotions far stronger than any he had ever felt when defusing mines. Sadly, he did not live to see his son’s first birthday.
He met his future wife when they were still teenagers. Andrzej immediately felt something very strong connecting him with Marzena. Despite his young age, it was not difficult for him to make space in his parents’ apartment for himself and his beloved.
He was always more resourceful than his peers, and at the same time he stood out for his discipline, sensitivity, and curiosity about the world. With so many qualities, he was suited to become an outstanding soldier, so it is hardly surprising that military service quickly became his passion. If you love me, you’ll wait – Andrzej said, holding his wife close to him as he left for the mission in Iraq.
Although his heart ached at the thought of leaving his pregnant wife and their three-year-old son Patryk, he felt a calling that compelled him. The role of an ordinary soldier never really suited him. He always dreamed of taking part in special forces operations. And while night parachute jumps were incredibly exciting for him, Marzena made no secret of her anguish when he told her about his experiences over the phone.
Without a doubt, Andrzej held a deep affection for his uniform, but his greatest loves were his sons. When Eryk was born, the proud father shared photos of the baby with everyone he could, overflowing with joy.
That big guy was as happy as a child; he showed his friends the photos and was beside himself with joy, his comrades from the regiment recalled. Unfortunately, he never got to see his son again, since he was killed during one of his missions. And just as he is remembered by many as an exemplary soldier, to his boys he was something far more important – a loving father.
Patryk is 25 years old today. He has been supported by the Foundation since 2011.
Mariusz Pasztetnik
Despite the extreme conditions and lack of oxygen in a burning apartment, he rushed to help the son of a terrified tenant. His actions inspired his daughter to carry on his legacy as a firefighter.
No one is born a hero. While, in theory, anyone can become one, few have the courage to do so. Mariusz was an exception. Despite the extremely difficult conditions and lack of oxygen in a burning apartment, he rushed into the fire to rescue the terrified tenant’s son.
All his life, Mariusz believed that a willingness to sacrifice oneself and support others were the most important things. He lived by these tenets until the very end.
Mariusz Pasztetnik lost his mother at a fairly young age. After leaving the military, he cared for his younger sister. He also joined the fire department. He was never afraid of the risks of the job, handling difficult situations as best he could. Eventually, he managed to save up enough money to buy a house.
Sometime later, he met Anna, his future wife, with whom he had a daughter, Julia. He hated being apart from her. He was even afraid that his little girl would forget him when he went to Germany to work harvesting asparagus.
Today, Julka is a teenager, tall and athletic, and she loves all sorts of activities, just like her father. Her Dad’s courage has always been an inspiration to her. She is active in the Volunteer Fire Department at Minkowice Oławskie, southwestern Poland, where she participates in firefighting competitions and proudly wears her dress uniform during ceremonies.
Although many years have passed since that tragedy, her Dad still visits her in her thoughts and continues to motivate her. “Daddy loves you and will be back soon,” he used to record these words on cassettes, along with the songs he played on the guitar. When he passed away, those mementos became priceless.
Julia is 25 years old today and was supported by the Foundation until 2025.
Marek Łabunowicz
A musician, a teacher, a rescue worker. The world has lost a wonderful man.
And Hania has lost her loving father. On December 30, 2001, as a member of the TOPR mountain rescue team, he came to the aid of avalanche victims. It was his final mission.
A scout, a musician, a TOPR rescuer – the inscription on his headstone at the Distinguished Citizens Cemetery at Pęksowy Brzyzek, Zakopane, does not fully convey the extraordinary vitality that characterized Marek Łabunowicz’s life.
Although he lived for only 29 years, he had become an icon in his region and was a role model for the younger generation, as well as a source of pride for older Highlanders. From his earliest days, he could be found everywhere: at school, at church, with the scouts, at sports clubs, doing cross-country and alpine skiing, mountain running, rock climbing, caving, and more.
In addition, people at every major institution in the local community knew “Maja,” which is what everyone called him. He was everywhere, open to everyone. He is remembered as an incredibly cheerful, constantly smiling, and extremely likable young man, most often with some musical instrument in his hand. In addition to his great personality traits, he received an extraordinary gift from God: perfect pitch and exceptional manual dexterity. Whatever he touched came to life in his hands.
The violin, the piano, the guitar, the piscołka, and the organ were just the instruments he most often played. However, he became known for introducing the Hungarian cimbalom to the Podhale region, and he played it masterfully.
He performed with such stars as Edyta Geppert, the Golec brothers, Piotr Majerczyk, Jerzy Bek, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Maryla Rodowicz, and many other well-known musicians, which did not prevent him from sharing his talent with the younger generation of Podhale residents.
Fascinated by Highlander music, he taught group and individual violin lessons, often cycling to his students, even in the rain, in remote areas of Podhale. He lived fully as a Highlander. He did not waste time sleeping. He shared his joy and inspired everyone he met.
Everything he did bore the marks of service: his leadership with the Boy Scouts, his service to the Church, his service through teaching the violin, and his service as a rescuer with the Tatra Volunteer Mountain Rescue Service (TOPR).
On December 30, 2001, he set out with a TOPR rescue team to aid victims of an avalanche. It was his final rescue mission. As a result of a second avalanche, Marek Łabunowicz, known as Maja, and his fellow rescuer both lost their lives near the Szpiglasowa Pass in the Polish Tatra Mountains.
Marek left behind a wife and a daughter. Hania was 4 years old at the time. Today, she is a student of ethnology and cultural anthropology at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Previously, she graduated from the Art High School in Zakopane, specializing in violin making. Like her father, she is fascinated by her beloved culture of the Podhale Highlanders; she plays traditional music, sings, and dances, and also crafts musical instruments.
Although Hania regrets that she had so little time with her Dad, she is happy to have had such an extraordinary father, and Marek would surely be proud of his daughter, because he can rest assured that, thanks to her, “he has not died entirely.”
Hania is 28 years old today and was supported by the Foundation until 2022.
Tomasz Chudzik
Łukasz’s dad was a pilot. He died in a crash in an Iryda military aircraft. A focused person and a voracious reader – this is how his children remember him. At home, he left behind a display case full of model airplanes, all perfectly assembled and painted. Łukasz, just like his dad, eventually became a pilot. “When I’m up in the air, I feel like my dad is with me, always helping me,” says Łukasz.
His children remember him as an incredibly patient and caring parent. Although he often came home very late, he helped them with homework whenever he could. Their house was full of his books and model airplanes. They were always perfectly made, down to the smallest detail.
His children also remember thousands of stories their dad would tell them at bedtime. He always managed to find the time to read them a bedtime story. The whole family often listened to his stories before going to bed. A great aviation enthusiast, he had high hopes for the Iryda aircraft and was a huge fan of that aircraft. Unfortunately, his great passion cost him his life. January 24, 1996, seemed like a perfect day for training flights. The pilots had some very difficult maneuvers to perform, but the conditions were favorable. However, the aircraft malfunctioned. The pilots lost control of it. After a few seconds, the I-22 aircraft crashed into the ground. Tomasz Chudzik and the co-pilot were killed instantly.
Mariusz Saczek
Military service had been his dream since childhood. He made that dream come true by serving on missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The dream came at a price, however. On July 27, 2010, near the WARRIOR base, a landmine exploded under his Rosomak armored vehicle. He suffered a broken spine, spinal cord damage, and paralysis of his legs. He was assessed a disability rating of 120 percent.
However, his dream came at a price. On July 27, 2010, near the Warrior base, a mine exploded under his Rosomak armored vehicle.
His disability was assessed at 120 percent. He is the father of three children. His youngest son, Mikołaj, remains under the care of the Foundation. He is five years old and attends preschool, but most of all he enjoys spending time with his Dad. From a very young age, he has been interested in electronic devices.
Sergeant Mariusz Saczek has received numerous awards for his service, including the NATO Medal in 2010, the Bronze “Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland” Medal in 2006, and the one-star military badge “For Wounds and Injuries” in 2012.
Since 2020, the Foundation has been supporting the sergeant’s three children: Julia, Cyprian, and Mikołaj.
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