District V

District V
Organized in 1905

Welcome to the District V home page. Check here for the latest updates regarding District V activities.

Recent Events [11/20/07]
Members Attend Kosciuszko Exhibit Ceremony
By Frania Tracz, District V First Vice President
A dedication of the Kosciuszko Squadron Commemorative Exhibit at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Conn., was held on November 10. The Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon was Waldemar S. Kostrzews, Chairman, Advisory Committee, Stanislaus A. Blejwas Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish-American Studies.

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The presentation of the colors was done by the First Company Governor’s Foot Guard. The Polish Anthem was sung by Monika Krajewska, and the American Anthem was performed by Marques Ruff. Rev. William Przybylo, Pastor of SS Cyril and Methodius Church, gave the invocation. Mr. Cornelius P. O’Leary, President, Board of Directors, New England Air Museum, thanked everyone for attending.

Speakers for the afternoon were Carl R. Lovitt, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU); the Hon. Peggy M. Sayvers, House of Representatives, 60th Assembly District; Michael A. Peszke, M.D., on behalf of the Kosciuszko Squadron Exhibit Committee; K. Steve Rasiej, P.E. President of the Polish Air Force Veterans Association, National Council in the United States; Majo Maciej Wozniak, Assistant Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Poland; Cadet Katheryn O’Konsky, Kosciuszko Squadron of West Point; and Stanislaw A. Milewski, M.D., Board of Directors, the Kosciuszko Foundation. The keynote address was given by M.B. Biskupski, Ph.D Chairholder, Stanislaus A. Biejwas Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish-American Studies.

Following the ceremonies, there was a reception for all present in the education center of the Air Museum.

District V made a contribution to help bring the history of these defenders of freedom to the community.

Members of District V who attended this event were President Phil Zambrello and his wife Diane, First Vice President Frania Tracz, National Director John Kowarik and his son Bill, Nest Director Peter Lenart and his wife Gladys, and Nest Director Dan Michalak.

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CCSU extended its gratitude to the following individuals who conceived the idea of a permanent Kosciuszko Squadron exhibit to preserve and present an historical record of these incomparable defenders of freedom and heroes of Poland: M.B. Biskupski, Ph.D; Harvey Hubbell IV; Michael A. Peszke, M.D.; K. Steve Rasiej, P.E.; and Igor I. Sikorsky Jr., Esq. A special thanks also went to the Community Advisory Committee under the leadership of Mary Mazurek Heslin.

Captions. Top Photo: Pictured from left to right are Peter Lenart, Gladys Lenart, John Kowarik, Bill Kowarik, Igor Sikorsky, Frania Tracz, Phil Zambrello, Diane Zambrello and Dan Michalak.

Bottom Photo: Pictured from left to right are Ed Danielczuk of the Polish National Alliance; Stan Wlodarczyk of the Polish Union Club; Frania Tracz, Polish Falcons District V First Vice President; Mary Mazurek Heslin, Committee Chairperson; Dr. Stanley Milewski; Chester Lasasda, Polish Air Force veteran; Low Maglaty and Janusz Bruks, U.S. Air Force veterans; and Janusz Kocur, United Polish Societies President.

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Recent Events [10/23/07]
District V Nests Pitch In At Apple Harvest Festival
By Jim Sokolowski, Nest 307 President
Nest 307, Southington, Conn., participated in the community’s Second Annual Apple Harvest Festival, which took place September 28-30 and again on October 5-7. Nest 307, along with the help of Nests 36, Southwestern Conn.; 68, Meriden, Conn.; 208, Derby, Conn.; and 519, Middletown, Conn.; made approximately 15,000 pierogi to sell at this event, in addition to kielbasa sandwiches and other Polish cuisine. The weather was beautiful both weekends, and the money earned will go toward children’s programs in the above-mentioned Nests and District V.

Everyone helped a great deal to make this event shine, and we sold out of pierogi on the last day. Polish music was playing and the crowds loved us. We hope to do this again next year. Everyone had a great time, and all the Nests pulled together to make this a grand event.

In addition to hosting a booth, Nest 307 also entered its first-ever float in this year’s Apple Festival. The harvest has a big parade on the first Sunday of the festival, and under the direction of Nicole and Rob Decker, along with Ken and Diane Decker, Nest 307 entered its float. Our float’s theme was “Falcons through the generations,” and we had some of our youngest members and oldest members on board. Polish music was playing, and we even got the people at the nearby Italian club to dance in the streets. Best of all, we won first place, which was no easy feat. There were so many other entries that the parade lasted for more than an hour so they could all make their way down the parade route.

Congratulations to all the members that helped make this year’s float and to those who rode atop our dancing pierogi. “Thank you” to Bob Parker for donating the hay and flowers, and “thank you” to Tom Rochefort for donating and driving the truck and the flat bed. He will forever be known as “Rochforski!”

Below are District V members making pierogi for the annual Connecticut Apple Harvest Festival. Click on any image to enlarge.




Below are pictures of the Nest 307 booth and members at the Apple Harvest Festival. Click on any image to enlarge.





Below are pictures of the Nest 307 float that took part in the Apple Harvest Festival. Click on any image to enlarge.