Pro Patria Medal

Established in 2011, the Pro Patria Medal is a civil state decoration awarded by the Head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression based upon an application and documentation from veteran and victim of oppression groups. Recommendations may also be made by departments of the Polish Government or Polish diplomatic missions and military attaches. The medal is awarded to mark special merit in strengthening and treasuring the memory of the Polish people’s fight for the independence of the Polish Republic during and following World War II.

 

Awarded to the following individuals:

TADEUSZ CISEK was born in 1922 in the former territory of the eastern provinces of the Second Polish Republic, Stanislawowski Voivodeship. In 1940, Mr. Cisek was deported to northern Kazakhstan and imprisoned in Soviet prison camps. Through the power of the Sikorski-Mayski Agreement, Cisek was freed to join the newly formed Polish Army in Lugowoj, Russia. Mr. Cisek joined the Polish Air Force being assembled in England as a member of the parachute squadron. Mr. Cisek saw action near Arnhem, Holland. After World War II, Mr. Cisek served in the army in the occupied zone of Germany. After demobilization, Mr. Cisek began his study of various technical courses and in 1951 immigrated to the United States and settled in Wisconsin. Mr. Cisek joined and actively participated in several Polish organizations, including Commander of the 94th Station of SWAP and CPA. Mr. Cisek received many military and civilian honors for his courageous service in the military, as well as his outstanding civic contributions.

LEONARD JEDRZEJCZAK was born in 1923 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Mr. Jedrzejczak was a boy scout and a participant in the Invasion of Poland September Campaign. Captured, Mr. Jedrzejczak was interned in a Hungarian prison camp. Eventually escaping, Mr. Jedrzejczak fled Hungary and joined the Polish Army in the Middle East. He served in the Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division and General Wladyslaw Anders’ 2nd Polish Corps. Mr. Jedrzejczak participated in the battles at Tobruk, Monte Cassino and Bologna. Following demobilization, Mr. Jedrzejczak finished his technical studies in London, and after immigrating to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, worked as an engineer and metallurgist. As a volunteer, Mr. Jedrzejczak has devoted many years of service to the Polonia Sports Club, co-created various radio broadcasting programs, and founded Polish Scouting in Wisconsin. Mr. Jedrzejczak has received many military and civilian honors including the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Rebirth of Poland.

STANISLAW ORZECHOWSKI was born in 1917. When World War II began, Mr. Orzechowski was serving in the Polish Navy stationed in Gdynia. Participating in the Invasion of Poland September Campaign, Mr. Orzechowski was captured and imprisoned by the Soviets, suffering severe and harsh living conditions. Deported to Siberia, Mr. Orzechowski worked in a mine in Vorkuta. Obtaining amnesty by the power of the Sikorski-Mayski Agreement, he immediately joined the Polish Army. Along with several hundred Polish Marines and Air Force pilots, he was transported to England where he spent the remainder of the war working as radiotelegraph operator, as well as supplying equipment to the Allied Army. In 1946, Orzechowski immigrated to America and dedicated his life working for his new homeland. Mr. Orzechowski has been the recipient of many military and civilian honors and distinctions.

Thank you to Chicago….

November 9, 2013

Mr. Stanley Sawa, President
Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance
6100 N. Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646

Dear Mr. Sawa and Grant Committee,

On behalf of the officer, directors, and members of the Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division, I want to thank you for your generous grant of $1,000.

Mr. Charles Komosa graciously presented this check to our organization while attending our annual Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day luncheon at the Polish Center of Wisconsin on Sunday, November 3rd. This event was attended by over 220 people and is a very special day for Poles. It was made even more special by the announcement that your fine organization had approved this grant request. Thank you!

Again, 2014 is a special year in the history of Poland. As you know, several anniversaries will be commemorated during 2014 including:

• 75th anniversary of the start of World War II (September 1)
• 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising (August 1)
• 25th anniversary of first democratic elections in Poland
• 15th anniversary of Poland’s admission into NATO
• 10th anniversary of Poland’s admission into the European Union

The Republic of Poland has also declared 2014 as the “Year Honoring Jan Karski” as 2014 is the one hundred year anniversary of the birth of Jan Karski, Hero to Humanity. Plus, in April, Pope John Paul II will be honored as a saint. Yes, 2014 will be fantastic for Poles and PAC-WI will do its best to celebrate this special year!

Any events and promotional materials will have the “Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance” listed prominently as a partner for these presentations. Plus, I would be happy to give a personal report to your fine organization at the end of 2014. Just let me know when.

Once again, Bardzo Dziękuję!

STO LAT!

Dr. Mark Pienkos, President
President, Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division
markpienkos2012@gmail.com
262-325-8039

OCTOBER PROCLAIMED POLISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN WISCONSIN

On October 8, 2013 the Wisconsin State Senate and the Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously approved a Joint Resolution proclaiming October ‘Polish-American Heritage Month’ in Wisconsin!

The Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division spearheaded this effort, and we can be very proud of the results. We are also very appreciative of the senators and assemblymen who were co-signers, as well as the entire membership of the legislature who voted in favor of the Joint Resolution.

After a successful Jan Karski exhibit in the Capitol Rotunda last month, PAC President Mark Pienkos provided State Senator Neal Kedzie the draft language for the proclamation that his office used to prepare the Joint Resolution, and it was passed.

The State of Wisconsin
2013 Senate Joint Resolution 52
Proclaiming October as Polish-American Heritage Month

Bądźmy dumni z naszego dziedzictwa polskiego! (Let us be proud of our Polish heritage!)

Once again, I am honored to serve as your President. Working together, we can – and will – do great things!

Mark Pienkos, President
PAC – WI Division

2012 Poland’s Independence Celebrated and Veterans Day Honored by the Wisconsin Polish American Congress

On Sunday November 11, 2012 the Wisconsin State Division of the Polish American Congress hosted its 15th annual Polish Independence Day/Veterans Day banquet at the beautiful Polish Center of Wisconsin.

An over capacity attendance of 250 guests were in attendance, some from Appleton, Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin, Chicago, and as far away as Los Angeles, California, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh. (Some 30-40 well-wishers had to be turned away when they were late with their reservation requests.) All who were present enjoyed a wonderful luncheon of traditional Polish favorites highlighted by Milwaukee’s Crocus Restaurant’s signature Polish mushroom soup.

During the reception prior to the banquet, pianist Thomas Gapinski and Violinist John Pienkos serenaded everyone with their medleys of favorite Polish folk and patriotic music.

U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore graced the event by her presence. Cong. Moore represents the Fourth U.S. Congressional District, and is the successor to both Congressman Clement J. Zablocki and Congressman Gerald Kleczka in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. In her remarks, Cong. Moore spoke of the importance of recalling the many contributions the Poles have made to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and nationally and the services to the freedom and well-being of the United States and Poland rendered by our veterans.

Mr. Frank J. Spula, President of the Polish American Congress and the Polish National Alliance fraternal and Vice Consul Konrad Zielinski of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago each spoke at the event, which honors the 94th anniversary of Poland’s independence and coincides with Veterans Day in the United States.

Among those attending this year’s event were President Dolly Honeycutt and Vice President Sharon Zago of the Polish Women’s Alliance of America based in Chicago, National Director Paul Sadowski of the Polish Falcons of America, Past National Secretary/Treasurer Joyce Szarowicz of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America fraternal in Chicago, along with representatives of all of Wisconsin’s Polish American organizations.

Several outstanding activists in Milwaukee’s Polish American community were honored at this year’s gathering. Each received the Congressman Clement J. Zablocki Civic Achoievement Award from the Wisconsin PAC. All were also honored by the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Government, the national Polish American Congress, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland. This year’s honorees are:

Ewa Barczyk-Pease, President of Polanki, the Polish Women’s Cultural Club of Wisconsin and Director of the Golda Meir Libraries of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee;

Ann Pienkos, long time activist in Wisconsin Polonia and civic life;

Hedy Rabiega, past national Director of the Polish National Alliance and active in many local Polonia organizations.*

The Polish Museum of America of Chicago;

and

The ‘Gwiazda Polarna’ Polish American newspaper based in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

In addition, Nest 725 of the Polish Falcons of America was recognized for its 95 years of dedicated commitment to the Falcons causes of physical fitness, fraternalism and patriotic service. This year, 2012, also marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of the national Polish Falcons of America fraternal headquartered in Pittsburgh.

Major Leonard Jedrzejczak and Mrs. Ada Dziewanowska were each awarded the Paderewski Medal issued by the Polish Army Veterans Association of America for their many years of dedicated service to the causes of Poland’s freedom and cultural heritage. Major Jedrzejczak fought for the cause of Poland’s freedom in World War II. For more than six decades, Mrs. Dziewanowska has been nationally recognized as a leader in the authentic performing of Polish dance in America.

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Ernest J. Litynski, who was one of the recipients of the Cong. Zablocki Civic Achievement award in 2011.

At the close of the banquet, Atty. Claude Krawczyk gave a progress report on the fund drive to restore Milwaukee’s beautiful and historic Kosciuszko monument. At present, more than $120,000 has been committed to this project. Just $50,000 more is needed to achieve the goal of preserving this great symbol of Polish and American solidarity and patriotism for the benefit of future generations. The Wisconsin PAC strongly supports this project and has, along with its members and member organizations, contributed substantially to the cause.

Special recognition goes to the outstanding work provided by the planning committee of this year’s event: Sharon Haberski (coordinator), Judith Free, Jeanette Holmquist, Luanne Landgraf, Ernest Litynski, Nina Nowakowski, Angela Pienkos, Diane Reeve, and Anne Wal. All worked closely and expertly with Wisconsin PAC State President Mark Pienkos to make this a very special event for all who attended.

Don Pienkos
_____________

*Since 1995 and counting this year’s Cong. Zablocki Civic Achievement Awards recipients, a total of 73 outstanding community activists have been honored at our event in recognition oif their services to our city, state and nation.