[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E828-E829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE POLISH ARMY VETERANS ASSOCIATION POST 40, HAMMOND, IN

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to congratulate the 
Polish Army Veterans Association [PAVA] Post 40 in Hammond, IN on its 
75th anniversary. PAVA Post 40 will hold an anniversary celebration at 
its banquet hall in Hammond this Saturday, May 18, 1996. I especially 
would like to congratulate post commander, Mr. Walter Prygon, and post 
financial secretary, Mr. Zenon Wiecinski, and all the other members of 
PAVA Post 40 for their time-honored dedication to preserve their Polish 
heritage and to assist their fellow countrymen in times of need. 
Joining the celebration will be Edward Repay, president of the Hammond 
City Council, and Lake County sheriff, John Buncich.
  The history of the PAVA is one of pride and honor. At the beginning 
of World War I, while the United States was still a neutral country, 
several prominent Polish-Americans issued an appeal to organize a 
volunteer army to fight the threat to Poland's freedom. Because the 
United States was still neutral at this time, it granted permission to 
Polish-American leaders to form an army to help with the war in Poland. 
Within the framework of the so-called Act of Arming, thousands of young 
Polish immigrants in the United States and Canada presented themselves 
for training. This training took place at Camp Niagara, in Canada.
  After training, the recruits were sent to France under the command of 
the leader of the Polish Armed Forces, Gen. Jozef Haller. General 
Haller named these troops the ``Blekitna Armia'' (Blue Army) after the 
color of their uniforms. Under the command of General Haller, the Blue 
Army contributed to the end of the Polish-Red Communist conflict. 
However, because Poland was destroyed by war and 150 years of bondage 
by neighboring countries, Poland could not compensate General Haller 
and the Blue Army for their heroic stand and sacrifice. After 
completing their duties, the Blue Army soldiers returned to the United 
States and Canada in tattered uniforms.
  Once back in the United States, the soldiers sought to continue the 
traditions they developed in Poland by forming a veterans organization 
in the United States and Canada. This organization was registered in 
the United States under the name of the Polish Army Veterans 
Association. Currently, the national headquarters is located in 
Cleveland, OH, and there are 70 posts with about 2,000 members 
throughout the country. The purpose of the organization, as 
incorporated in its own constitution, is to bring help to those less 
fortunate, as well as to hold social gatherings in an effort to 
cultivate and continue Polish traditions.
  Before World War I, the majority of Polish immigrants in the United 
States settled in industrial towns, such as Hammond, IN and others in 
northwest Indiana. These Polish-American settlers included discharged 
soldiers of General Haller's army. These immigrants registered with the 
national headquarters of the Polish Army Veterans Association, and, on 
May 5, 1921, they were officially designated as Post 40. Eventually, 
the members of Post

[[Page E829]]

40 realized they needed their own home office, which led to the 
purchase of the building at 241 Gostlin Street in Hammond. This remains 
their current home office. Local organizations hold special events at 
Post 40, including the Soccer Club ``Polonia,'' Saturday School of 
Polish Language, and academia group 3095. In 1936, the Women's 
Auxiliary at Post 40 was organized by Mrs. W. Wytrzymalski, who also 
became the first president. The Women's Auxiliary has offered its 
assistance in all veterans' undertakings, especially in its collection 
of ``Blawateck'' (Polish Buddy Poppies), which are sold to help raise 
money for the veterans.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate my congratulations 
to Post 40 Commander Prygon, Financial Secretary Wiecinski, and all 
members of PAVA Post 40 for their commitment to remembering their 
Polish heritage, as well as their commitment to improving the quality 
of life for all residents of Indiana's First Congressional District. 
May their 75th anniversary celebration be a joyous one.

                          ____________________