The funeral of Zenon Wechmann took place on Friday, 31st of May at the Junikowo Cemetery in Poznań. Major Zenon Wechmann, a former political prisoner of Stalinist Poland, was bid farewell by numerous representatives of the authorities and his loved ones.
Farewell with honor
Zenon Wechmann (YT / Poznań Oral History Archive) Farewell with honor
The funeral ceremony was attended by, among others, Marshal of the Wielkopolska Province Marek Woźniak, Voivode of Wielkopolska Agata Sobczyk, Mayor of the City of Poznań Jacek Jaśkowiak, representatives of the Polish Scouting Association, the Institute of National Remembrance, the Voivodeship Veterans' Council, family and friends.
Marshal Woźniak emphasized the significance of Zenon Wechmann's life and work, saying: "Today we are saying goodbye to the deceased, not only to a hero of the fight for freedom, not only to the Chairman of the Voivodeship Veterans' Council, but above all to someone close. A friend who was always with us for many years and, by his example, showed how to cultivate memory and patriotic values."
A Life Full of Sacrifice
Zenon Wechmann was born in 1927 in Poznań. From his youth he was involved in scouting activities, and during the German occupation he worked as a forced laborer in the "Centra" factories and studied at secret classes. After the war he continued his activity in the Polish Scouting Association, and later became involved in the anti-communist conspiracy.
Arrested in 1952, he underwent brutal interrogations and was sentenced to 7 years in prison. He served his sentence in harsh conditions in prisons in Rawicz and in labor camps in Potulice and Piechcin-Bielawy. Released under amnesty in 1955, he later served as president of the Association of Political Prisoners of the Stalinist Period, Greater Poland Branch, and chairman of the Provincial Council of War Veterans and Repressed Persons.
Recognition and remembrance
Zenon Wechmann has been honored with many distinctions, including the title of "Meritorious for the City of Poznań" in 2018 and the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 2023. His life and dedication will remain an inspiration for future generations, as Marshal Woźniak emphasized: "Mr. Zenon, it will be more difficult without you, but we must rise to this task. Thank you for your life! Rest in peace!"
source: Wielkopolska Province Office
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