FOUR PNA MEMBERS INSTALLED AS
"KNIGHTS OF PULASKI"

Cleveland, Ohio - On June 11, 2009, four PNA members were installed as "Knights of Pulaski". Ralph Bodziony, Jerry Elbicki, Mark Relovsky and Raymond Vargas received the honorary title bestowed by the Polonia Foundation of Ohio to men and women who are involved in Polonia and shows a commitment to advance Polish Heritage to persons of all ages. The event was held at the Manor Party Center in Euclid, Ohio. Approximately 75 members and guests attended the ceremony. Father Eric Orzech bestowed the title of Knight of Pulaski on 6 men and one Lady of Pulaski.

Ralph Bodziony if the financial Secretary and Office Manager of the Union of Poles in America Division of the Polish National Alliance. Ralph is the editor is the "Kuryer Zjednoczenia", the monthly newspaper found in the Polish American Journal insert. Ralph is also a delegate to the Polish American Congress Ohio Division. His career with the Union of Poles began in 1986 when he was elected to the position of Director of the UOP. In 1999, he was elected General Secretary and is the President of the Union of Poles Credit Union. He also served as the credit union's director, treasurer and manager in the past. He is the financial secretary of Lodge 33, St. Michael the Archangel.

Jerry Elbicki is a team leader employed with the Baldwin Wallace College since 1981. He was knighted by the Polonia Foundation for his work at the Polish American Culture Center, teaching adults Polish language. Jerry is a graduate of Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, PA, was a member of the school's touring Polish Folk Dance Group, the Kujawiaki. As an exchange student with the Jagiellonian University in Krakow Poland, he was the first American members of the semi-professional Krakus Dance Ensemble. He directed and choreographed two Polish National Alliance groups and had his own group for 11 years before teaching Polish language classes. He recently became certified as a choreographer in two national dances while in Poland.

Mark Relovsky was elected as Commissioner of District 17 of the PNA in April 2008. He is the financial secretary of St. Joseph's Lodge 46. He is a delegate to the Polish American Congress Ohio Division. Mark serves as a Director and the recording secretary of the Union of Poles Credit Union.

Raymond Vargas is a training officer employed with Baldwin Wallave College since 1990 and was knighted by the Polish Foundation for his current work with the Syrena Polis Folk Ensemble of Cleveland as Director and Choreographer, Gorale Polish Folk Dancers of Cleveland and Wiwaty Polish Dancers of Erie, PA as their choreographer. Ray is also the folk-art curator of the Polish Heritage Museum in Slavic Village. He has excelled his studies of Polish dance and song, history, culture and folk art from the United States and Poland. He has been asked to do demonstrations and lectures in Polish customs, traditions and folk art throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. Ray also holds the position as Secretary of Council 88 in the PNA.

Congratulations!

Submitted by:
Ray Vargas and Ralph Bodziony

Photos submitted by:
Ray Vargas & Ralph Bodziony

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