[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CONGRATULATIONS TO POLISH AMERICAN VETERANS' CLUB OF WILBRAHAM, MA ON 
                          ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity today to congratulate the Polish American Veterans;' (PAV) 
Club of Wilbraham, Massachusetts on its 50th anniversary.
  The PAV in Wilbraham has for half a century played a vital role in 
its community. In celebration of this noteworthy occasion, I take this 
opportunity to express my personal congratulations to each and every 
member of the Club, and to enter the complete history of the Polish 
American Veterans' Club of Wilbraham, Massachusetts into today's 
Congressional Record.

                              The History

       The hostilities of World War II had come to a close and the 
     veterans were returning to their homes where their families 
     were anxiously preparing a warm welcome. The local 
     Organizations and merchants also combined their efforts to 
     extend their greetings through a ``Welcome Home Day.'' The 
     men and women who were being honored at these events formed a 
     new segment in our community, ``Veterans of the Armed Forces 
     of the United States.'' The loose social association these 
     men held in the months following their return coupled with 
     their similarity of interests, ambitions and background 
     inspired the idea for the formation of an organizational of 
     local Veterans.
       Uniting any group into a functioning organization required 
     the leadership of a person who is familiar with the 
     aspirations and problems of the group, along with a deep 
     interest in their progress. The Veterans of the Tri-Town area 
     were fortunate in having a man who qualified in every respect 
     as an organizer. His interest in the welfare of this body 
     must have had a great influence on leading them into 
     organization. The man, Father A. Rys, then curate of the 
     Immaculate Conception Parish. His uniting efforts during 
     these important organizational meetings resulted in the 
     formation of a strong ``Polish American Veterans Club.''
       Father called the first meeting on February 23, 1947, where 
     various types of Veterans groups were discussed. A committee, 
     headed by Edward Haluch, was formed to do research into an 
     organization that would function best in this area. The new 
     club was to be founded by the Veterans of Polish extraction 
     from the Indian Orchard, Ludlow and Wilbraham area to 
     encourage social acquaintances among members for the 
     advancement of social, educational and economic welfare of 
     its members. With these ideals in mind, a committee was 
     delegated the task of drawing By-Laws. Thus, the first 
     meeting had set the organizational wheels in motion. During 
     subsequent meetings officers were elected and committees for 
     an efficiently functioning organization were appointed. The 
     first few officers were: President, John Kiebania; First Vice 
     President, Al Sambor; Second Vice President, Mitchell 
     Kowalski; Clerk, Emil Wysik, Financial Secretary, Joseph 
     Popeo; Treasurer, Bernie Smola; Service Officer, Dr. Francis 
     Bacewicz; and Sergeant at Arms, Louis Grondalski.
       The name of the club was to be ``The Polish American 
     Veterans of Indian Orchard, Ludlow and Wilbraham.''
       Founded on the principle of social unity and community 
     service, the club prospered in the ensuring years. From its 
     inception, a vigorous athletic program was sponsored, the 
     most successful of all being the baseball team which drew an 
     enthusiastic following. They identified the organization 
     throughout the Western Massachusetts area when they captured 
     the Knights of Columbus Tournament in 1949 and were runner-up 
     for the Western Massachusetts Amateur Baseball Championship 
     in 1950. The basketball team was no less successful, in that 
     they shared the limelight in completing the season as Western 
     Massachusetts Champions in 1952. The bowling league and 
     hockey team kept the members active in the winter months. In 
     addition to the organized league activities an intramural 
     basketball program was initiated and impromptu volleyball 
     games or golf matches filled what spaces remained in the 
     sports calendar. Trophies representing championships in every 
     major sport are held by the club.
       In 1949, the Club Members remodels the old dairy building 
     on 4\1/2\ Action Street as their temporary home and for ten 
     years it served as an informal meeting place for members. The 
     good management of the small clubhouse plus the aid of the 
     members had placed the organization in a financial position 
     which made the erection of new quarters possible. The purpose 
     of this venture was to house all the club activities and 
     to serve as a meeting place for the entire community.
       A building committee was appointed and in January 1959 at a 
     specially called meeting, the plans for the new building were 
     accepted by a vote of the body. The dedication of the 
     ``Polish American Veterans Club'' was held on January 30, 
     1960.
       The membership broadened its scope in community service. We 
     expanded our sports program to include the youth in the area 
     by sponsoring baseball, girls' softball, hockey, soccer and 
     basketball. We also sponsored a visit of the West Point Glee 
     Club for a performance at the Springfield Auditorium. Many 
     Club Members and their families had the pleasure of meeting 
     the cadets personally by sharing their homes for an evening 
     stay.
       The Polish American Veterans were instrumental in the 
     renovation of the Kosciuszko Garden at West Point Military 
     Academy. The Sunshine Village and many charitable 
     organizations receive annual donations. The Ludlow Hospital 
     was given a sizable donation for their fund drive. The cost 
     of a classroom was given to Christ the King Social Center. A 
     new Church Altar was presented to the Immaculate Conception 
     Church. The Fire and Police Departments in the Tri-Town area 
     received life-saving and communication equipment. The area 
     Libraries are given hard cover books periodically. The annual 
     United Polish Clubs Scholarship Dinner-Dance is held in the 
     Veterans Ballroom. Biannual bus trips to the Holyoke Soldiers 
     Home fill buses with Members, the Auxiliary, Polish 
     pierogies, rye bread, horseradish, kielbasa and home baked 
     pastries plus prize winning money for Bingo Games which is 
     shared with the resident patient veterans. The Post also 
     adopted a wing at the Holyoke Soldiers Home for which we 
     funded interior decorations and supplies.
       The greatest highlight in the Club history was the founding 
     of the ``Polish American Auxiliary.'' The women organized in 
     1952 under the same policy and the same aims as the Veterans 
     Club. The ``Auxiliary'' has been indispensable in providing 
     assistance to the Club. They have been a mainspring in 
     devising fund raising methods. Our major fund raisers are 
     joint ventures of the Veterans and the Auxiliary. The Labor 
     Day Weekend Picnic and the Annual Breakfast-Brunch.
       In June 1962, the Wilbraham Post became affiliated with the 
     Polish American Veterans of Massachusetts. Our Post hosted 
     State Conventions in 1964, 1970, 1976 and 1984. The most 
     outstanding was the 1976 Convention and Parade complete with 
     15 State Posts and their Marching Bands. The march was led by 
     our own ``Minute Men'' dressed in Revolutionary War Uniforms. 
     This Parade was one of our contributions to the year-long 
     celebrations of the United States 200th Birthday Party. Many 
     of our Club Veterans and Auxiliary Members served as officers 
     in the State Department of the Polish American Veterans of 
     Massachusetts. To this date, 6 Club Veterans have been 
     elected State Commanders and 2 Auxiliary Members were elected 
     State Presidents.
       The Town of Wilbraham generously deeded to the Polish 
     American Veterans surplus Pine School land along with a 
     parcel which was taken from the Polish American Veterans by 
     eminent domain for School purposes. This enabled the Club to 
     construct additional paved off-aces parking, an outdoor 
     pavilion and open land for recreational activity.
       Socially we continue to celebrate the annual Dinner-Dance; 
     the Joint Installation of Officers; a Spring-Fling; a Steak 
     Barbecue; a Hawaiian Night; the Membership Jamboree and the 
     Children's Party. There are also Bowling and Golf Tournament 
     Banquets. This gives all our members and their friends 
     additional opportunity for continued fellowship in a most 
     friendly atmosphere.
       There is a more serious side to this organization. 
     Annually, the Members and the Auxiliary gather in their 
     Parade Dress for a march to church to pray for the souls of 
     the deceased Members and Comrades who perished in battle. The 
     Gold Star Mothers were always revered at the ceremonies.
       Services and wreath placing are also conducted at ``Our 
     Lady of Peace'' monument adjacent to the Immaculate church, 
     at the 1987 dedicated ``Polish American Veterans Triangle'' 
     and concluding at our quarters ``Memorial Monument Green.'' 
     The Full Military Honors given the deceased are witnessed by 
     the many who gather to join in prayer for their souls.
       Many of our Members serve or have served the Community and 
     State in various capacities. As trustees in Hospitals, Church 
     Councils, Community Council, Senior Councils, in elected 
     Political Offices and other service areas. The Polish 
     American Veterans have established outstanding records and 
     are a guiding influence in our community.

     

                          ____________________