[smcl]

When I lived in Edinburgh a couple of Polish guys I knew would, whenever they got drunk, corner you and seriously interrogate you on whether you are “ready to fight and die for your country” (my answer was always “no” which really frustrated them). I thought it was just them being peculiar, I never thought it could be more widespread.

[captainredbeard]

This makes me love the Polish even more!

[smcl]

It was quite entertaining and they were good guys.

[btbuildem]

I think part of it comes from the perception of war (like parent commenter stipulated, different depending where you're from).

Americans know war from TV, worst that happens is some of those who signed up for the work don't come home, or a remote naval base gets bombed.

The Polish known wars throughout all their history. It's only natural to think the next war is coming, because some war has always been coming.

[stereolambda]

I wouldn't say all Poles are keen for-your-country-diers, but there's a sense that it's foolish to count on any system (political etc.) going on indefinitely. Everywhere you go, people were being rounded up and killed during WW2. Property you may have owned, often evaporated. Or, as there's a growing awareness, grabbed by other people. Such things are possible.

Aside from obvious nationalism that plays a role with some folks, I'd say total defiance may be a sound strategy for dealing with sociopathic bad actors (international or otherwise): better than going down a slippery slope to complete submission everywhere. This is the kind of situation that people tend to think of when talking about "dying for the country" in Poland.