Polish Soldier Honoured in Poznan

The late Lt. Lukasz Kurakowski's widow received the "Meritorious Service Medal" awarded by President Lech Kaczynski, in a ceremony taking place at the Center for Ground Army Training in Poznan. Lt. Kurakowski was the first Polish soldier killed while on duty in Afghanistan. He lost his life in August 2007 while on the ISAF mission, when he was fatally wounded while on patrol in the Paktia province of Afghanistan.

Upon receiving the medal, Aneta Kurkowska, the lieutenant's widow, told the press, "I consider this medal a present for Lukasz. Tomorrow is his birthday." Lt. Kurakowski was 28 years old at the time of his death. Since then, eight other Polish soldiers have been killed while on duty.