Poland’s new president takes command of military in pomp-filled Army Day ceremony

Poland’s new president takes command of army

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s new president has formally taken control of the nation’s military and unveiled a new plaque to the victims of the plane crash that killed his predecessor and 95 others.

Bronislaw Komorowski, who as the country’s president bears the role of commander in chief, took control of the armed forces in a ceremony on Army Day.

The event Sunday at Warsaw’s Pilsudski Square was filled with the pomp of trumpets, fluttering military banners and the fire of cannons, with smoke rising from their barrels.

Komorowski won a July 4 runoff election and was inaugurated earlier this month.

Before the ceremony he unveiled a plaque at the Field Cathedral of the Polish army to the plane crash victims, who included some of the country’s top military brass.