of Freedom at event honoring Victims of Communism December 14, 2005 - Solidarity figure accepts Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom at event honoring Victims of Communism Solidarity's legend Anna Walentynowicz accepted the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom on behalf of Solidarity trade union during a ceremony at Poland's embassy in Washington on Tuesday. The medal is awarded by the U.S. Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization established by an Act of Congress to commemorate victims of communism and to honour those who struggled against communism. The medal was also awarded to Pope John Paul II and to a prominent Polish American, retired Army General Edward Rowny. Speaking to Polish journalists after the ceremony, Walentynowicz said she was moved to get the honours. "I am happy to be able to take the medal to Poland and present it to the people as a sign that their work, courage and devotion have been appreciated." Walentynowicz, was an activist of the free-union movement in 1970s. In August 1980 she was sacked from the Gdansk Shipyard where she worked from 1950. Her dismissal sparked protests and led to the birth of the Solidarity trade union. Copyright 2005 PAP Polish Press Agency PAP News Wire For more information about the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, please visit: http://www.victimsofcommunism.org ### Photo caption: Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation Chairman Dr. Lee Edwards looks on as Anna Walentynowicz displays medal presented to honor the efforts of the 1980 Solidarity Fee Trade Union. Photo by Raits Eglitis, American Latvian Association. |
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