Polish Solidarity Combatant Association, Cross "Semper Fidelis".

[Taz]

Polish Solidarity Combatant Association, ''Semper Fidelis'' Cross (Związek Solidarności Polskich Kombatantów, Krzyż ''Semper Fidelis''),
This Cross was instituted in December 1994 by the Z.S.P.K. in Poznan to be awarded to members of Solidarność (Solidarity), the independent Polish Trade Union, formed in 1980, who were active after the imposition of martial law in December 1981 and played a vital part in Poland regaining its independence in 1989.
Eligible for award were all those who fulfill one of the following critaria:

1) took part in an armed struggle, for Poland’s freedom and independence.
2) took part in the resistance movement aiming at the goals in (1).
3) were oppressed due to political, religious, or national reasons.
4) worked abroad for the cause of independent Poland.
5) represent high ethic and moral standards.

The obverse has an ‘anchor’ cipher ‘P’ (for Polska walcząca = Poland fights), the left and right arms inscribed ‘SEMPER’ and ‘FIDELIS’ respectively (Latin = always loyal), the date ‘1981’ on the upper arm (date of the imposition of martial law by the then Communist authorities); the reverse with the central inscription ‘ZSPK’ (Związek Solidarności Polskich Kombatantów = Polish Solidarity Combatant Association) imposed on a ‘W’, (for Polska walcząca= Poland fights) the dates ‘1939’ and ‘1989’ to either side (for the period between the German invasion and the fall of the Communist regime, that is, the period during which Poland was not independent)