WALTER AND LEE ANNE NOGA HONORED AS
GRAND MARSHALLS OF PULASKI DAY PARADE

Battle Creek, Michigan - Tadeusz Kosciuszko Society PNA Lodge 2416 in Battle Creek, Michigan, has two members being honored as "Grand Marshalls" of the Pulaski Day Parade, as  part  of the Pulaski Day Celebration which takes place on the first full weekend of October to honor General Casimir Pulaski and Polish Heritage in the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Pulaski Days have been celebrated in Grand Rapids since 1972. General Pulaski is known as the father of the American Calvary. He was killed in Savannah Georgia during the Revolutionary War.

Memorials can be found in Savannah as well as towns, roads, and streets bearing the Pulaski name throughout America. In Grand Rapids there is a Pulaski Square near downtown and a monument located at 435 Diamond Avenue near the square in Grand Rapids.

Walter and Lee Anne are the first people outside the Grand Rapids area to receive the honor of Parade Grand Marshalls. The parade will take place Saturday, October 6th on the west side of Grand Rapids starting on Fulton street at 11:00 a.m. Festivities start Friday October 5th at various clubs. Events can be found on the website: www.pulaskidays.org

Walter was born in Chicago and with his family moved to Michigan during World War II, finally the family settled in Battle Creek in 1949. Walter graduated from Battle Creek Saint Phillip in 1952 commencing with the Union Pump Co. in Battle Creek shortly after graduation as a draftsman. He worked his way up to be Product Manager of the Stream Power Pump Division. He has an Associate Degree from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek and attended classes at the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University and George Washington University.

Lee Anne was born in Central Lake Michigan and was raised in Ceresco, Michigan, just a few miles East of Battle Creek.

Lee Anne graduated from Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek and received a business degree from Argubrite Business College also located in Battle Creek. She is currently the Financial Secretary of the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Society, Polish National Alliance, Lodge 2416 of Battle Creek. She further manages the Battle Creek PNA Insurance Agency Office. The Agency serves the states of Michigan and Indiana which serves Sales Representatives and Lodge Secretaries, plus training of PNA Sales and other persons.

Walter is currently the Vice President of the Lodge. He has served the organization in the past as President off and on for approximately 30 years. Walter has also served on the PNA National Board of Directors from 1995 to 1999.

Both Walter and Lee Anne received a number of Awards from the PNA National Office headquartered in Chicago, Illinois for their Insurance Sales and training efforts.

Their affiliation in the Grand Rapids area begin in 1997 as part of the Dozinski Festival. They met Sarah Wisniewski at the Festival and Sarah became the 1st and only Queen of Pulaski Days, which was solely sponsored by the Polish National Alliance. The PNA Home Office has been a sponsor and part of the Pulaski Days Queen contest and the PNA has takes part in the Annual "Dozinski Festival" sponsored by the Grand Rapids Heritage Society.

Lee Anne and Walter assisted in the establishing of a new PNA Lodge in Grand Rapids which was the first new lodge established by PNA in the last 13 years. The first PNA Lodge was established in Grand Rapids in 1887.

Submitted by:
Walter and Lee Ann Noga (edited)