PNA AND VETERANS INSTALL OFFICERS

Hamtramck, Michigan - As in previous years, the Polish National Alliance Banquet Facility in Hamtramck was full of the fraternalism for which it was built. Six groups of officers were installed to their positions in the Polish National Alliance and the Polish Army Veterans Association.

Welcoming remarks, in Polish and English, were presented by Polish National Alliance Council 122 Vice President and Banquet Chair Janina Lopacki. The microphone was then passed to PNA Council 122 President, Stella Szczesny who served as Mistress of Ceremonies. The program started with the singing of the Polish and American National Anthems led by Genia Mackiewicz and Barbara Gronet of the Filarets Ladies Chorus. With the Invocation given by Fr. Bogdan Milosz of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish, dinner was served by the staff of the Under the Eagle Restaurant under the watchful eye of its owner, Terenia Peczeniuk.

Following dinner, Stella Szczesny introduced the Mayor of Hamtramck, Karen Majewski, PNA National Director Barbara Martin, PNA Commissioner Edward Nizienski, numerous other PNA Council and Lodge representatives and several Polonian leaders and organizations.

The first group called up to take their oath of office were PNA Councils 122 and 15. The Oath of Office was administered by PNA Director Barbara Martin. Next the officers of PNA Lodge 1758 took the Oath of Office from Commissioner Edward Nizienski, followed by the officers of Lodge 1264 took the Oath of Office from Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski.

Following the PNA groups, the Polish Army Veterans took the floor. PAVA Post #7 Secretary Leon Rajski called up the officers of the PAVA Post #7 and the PAVA Post #7 Ladies Auxiliary. The Oath of Office was administered by Fr. Bogdan Milosz. Komendant Krzystof Kulesza then took the microphone and presented "Medals of Service" to the Polish Veterans to several members attending the banquet including Terenia Peczeniuk, Janina Lopacki, Franciszek Tracz, and Stanislaw Matuszczyk.

Stella Szczesny then invited Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski to say a few words. She spoke on the similarities of some of the ethnic groups in Hamtramck and told everyone about a recent event that she attended. The Bengali community held a memorial for the people who were killed for speaking their own language and she recalled similar events in Polish and Polonian communities throughout the world.

Mayor Majewski also stressed the need for everyone to complete the Census forms when they are received. It is imperative that the forms are filled out by everyone who gets them. She mentioned that no matter what their immigration status is, legal or illegal, or visitor, every person needs to be counted. Majewski stated that the information collected by the Census Bureau will be shared with any other agency and that includes the Immigration Service. She also mentioned that the Census Bureau is looking for bi-lingual people to work for them. More information can be obtained from the Piast Institute in Hamtramck.

The microphone was then passed to representatives wanting to say a few words. PNA National Director Barbara Martin, Commissioner Edward Nizienski and Council 15 President Grace Sawinski thanked everyone for attending and wished all the officers the best, working through Fraternalism. Fr. Timothy Whalen of the Orchard Lakes Schools concluded the afternoon with the Benediction.

Story By:
Barbara J. Gronet
Photos by:
Barbara J. Gronet and Ron Martin

Total 7 Photos

.