Title: Polish Legion of American Veterans. Kobus-Molenda Post No. 49: Records
Inclusive Dates: 1965-1979

Creator:

• Polish Legion of American Veterans. Kobus-Molenda Post No. 49 (South Milwaukee, Wis.)

Call Number: Milwaukee Mss 54; Milwaukee Tape 9; Tape 982A

Quantity: 0.2 c.f. (1 archives box) and 1 tape recording

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries’ Archives Department / Milwaukee Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Records of a South Milwaukee chapter of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, formed by Americans of Polish ancestry in 1941. Includes fragmentary correspondence and financial records, minutes, membership rosters, notes of post officers, programs, newsclippings, and papers regarding the 1967 PLAV state convention, hosted by Post 49. Also present are publicity materials, music scores, a program, and a tape recording from polka masses sponsored by Post 49 since 1976 at St. John's Catholic Church.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil00054

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

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.

The records of Post No. 49 of the PLAV illustrate some of the group's activities for the period 1965-1978. Earlier records apparently no longer exist; the 1941-1965 records were accidentally discarded, probably in 1965, and other records were stolen in 1975 and never recovered. Those records still in existence consist of fragmentary correspondence and memoranda, including printed form letters from the PLAV State Department; financial records, mainly canceled checks and bank statements; membership rosters; minutes of monthly meetings; and two notebooks with drafts of correspondence, notes, and memos, kept by officers of the post. There are programs from installation of officers ceremonies, banquets, dances, Memorial Day observances, and from the soapbox derby races sponsored by several South Milwaukee veterans' groups. Also included are correspondence, notes, publicity and other papers regarding the 1967 PLAV state convention hosted by Post No. 49, a few photographs of PLAV-sponsored events, news clippings, and miscellaneous. Concerning the polka masses are a folder of publicity materials, a program, and music scores, and a tape recording of the 1978 mass.

Acquisition Information

Presented by the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Post No. 49, via Donald E. Broskowski, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1981. Accession Number: M81-359

Processing Information

Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt, April 1982.

Milwaukee Mss 54 Box   1 Folder   1	Correspondence and Memos, 1965-1979
Box   1 Folder   2	Financial Records, 1967-1968
Box   1 Folder   3	Membership Rosters, 1966, 1968
Box   1 Folder   4	Minutes, 1965-1976
Box   1 Folder   5	Miscellaneous, 1969, 1974-1976, 1979, undated
Box   1 Folder   6	News Clippings, 1967-1973, 1975-1977, 1979, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Nowinski, Arnold J., Notebook, 1966
Box   1 Folder   8	Wackowski, Joe, Notebook, 1965
Box   1 Folder   9	Photographs, 1973-1976, undated
Box   1 Folder   10	Polka Masses, St. John's Catholic Church, 1976-1978
Milwaukee Tape 9/Tape 982A	Polka Masses, St. John's Catholic Church, 1978
Milwaukee Mss 54 Box   1 Folder   11	Programs, 1965-1976
Box   1 Folder   12	State Convention, 1967