The John Kobus Post No. 49 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans was organized in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin in memory of Kobus, who died during World War I. The first installation of officers of the post was held May 4, 1941, with Felix Olszewski as first commander. Post No. 49 joined several other PLAV chapters in the Milwaukee area, and together with chapters elsewhere in the state, were united under the Wisconsin State Department of the PLAV. Among the purposes of the Polish Legion of American Veterans are the promotion of patriotism, defense of the U.S. Constitution, combating of communism and its propaganda, and preservation of fraternity and friendships through patriotic, charitable, educational, and civic work. There also exists a ladies' auxiliary of Post No. 49, which like the men's organization, works with veterans' hospitals, does volunteer work, sponsors a queen contest, and commemorates military and veterans holidays.
In 1965 the name of the post was changed to the Kobus-Molenda post, with the addition of the name of George Molenda, who died in World War II. The more recent activities of the post have included hosting the 1967 state convention of the PLAV, and the annual polka masses in honor of John Kobus and George Molenda. Sponsored at St. John's Catholic Church since 1976, the masses feature traditional church hymns sung to a polka beat by veterans' choruses formed for the occasion from several church choirs, and military color guards as well as the liturgy. In addition, the polka mass brought together Polish Roman Catholics and Polish National Catholics for the first time after the bitter secession of the National Catholic group.
