AUGUST 2011 • OUR 100Th ANNIVERSARY YEAR 1 AUGUST 2011 • VOL
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POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2011 • OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY YEAR www.polamjournal.com 1 AUGUST 2011 • VOL. 100, NO. 8 $2.00 PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT BOSTON, NEW YORK NEW BOSTON, AT PAID PERIODICAL POSTAGE POLISH AMERICAN OFFICES AND ADDITIONAL ENTRY ESTABLISHED 1911 www.polamjournal.com JOURNAL THE TASTES AND FLAVORS 1911 • 2011 DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURE OF KRAKÓW — PAGE 5 WHO WILL TELL POLONIA’S STORY? • ROMANOWSKI HEADS CLASS OF 2011 • PAINFUL MEMORIES KNAPIK TO LEAD PULASKI PARADE • MORE PICNIC RECIPES • DAR HONORS POLISH WAR VET HERO OF 9/11 • DIVINE MERCY CONGRESS TO MEET IN POLAND • THE BEST-KEPT SECRET NEWSMARK Demonstrating Deep Devotion Army Ranger is POLAND ASSUMES EU COUNCIL PRESIDENCY from Back in the Fight Hungary, as serious social and economic challenges plague the European Union. Goals of the Polish chairmanship are Kapacziewski Overcomes Odds, many: to strengthen cooperation with member nations with an aim of realizing greater stability; to deepen the integra- Returns to Active Service tion of the European Union market, leading to more rapid WASHINGTON, D.C. — From the economic growth; to support efforts to enlarge EU mem- moment his broken body was pulled bership; to increase the strength of Europe’s Food, Energy from an armored vehicle in Iraq — af- and Military security; and to proceed with the vital discus- ter an enemy grenade, dropped through sion of the 2014-2020 EU budget. a hatch, detonated inches away — Army “We have taken the presidency at a difficult time,” said Ranger Joseph “Kap” Kapacziewski Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “It is important that, vowed to be back in the fight. despite all, what wins is the spirit for mutual assistance that “Is this go- is going to make Europe turn around.” ing to ruin my A ceremonial official inauguration of Poland’s assump- chances of being tion of the EU Council Presidency began with the premier a squad leader?” performance of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski’s he asked as he opera “King Roger” in the Grand Theater of the National was carried into a Opera. medical ward. The soldier’s BISKUPSKI TAKE REINS AT PIASA. Nearly 150 partici- lower right leg pants took part in the 69th annual meeting of the Polish In- was shattered. stitute of Arts and Sciences of America (PIASA), June 10- KAPACZIEWSKI FATHER ANDRZEJ PAPIEŻ celebrates Mass at “Cascadas de Juan Pablo II,” (John Nerve damage left 11. The Embassy of Poland hosted a reception for meeting his right arm useless. And from hip to participants, who viewed an exhibit on Maria Sklodowska- Paul II Falls) in Colca Canyon, Peru. He was part of an expedition that unveiled a plaque honoring Blessed John Paul II in the world’s deepest canyon. upper thigh, the flesh was shredded by Curie. the blast. During the reception, Prof. Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz by Jerzy “Yurek” Majcherczyk above the deep gorges, hot volcanic lava It was 2005, and doctors feared Ka- was awarded a diploma as a foreign member of Poland’s HUAMBO, Peru — Five years ago, a all while under the heat of the blister- pacziewski would never walk, much less Academy of Science. PIASA member Prof. Zbigniew plaque was cemented into a huge boul- ing sun and dry air. The journey began be able to remain in the elite, physically Brzezinski was the closing der at the bottom of the Colca Canyon, from the small village of Huambo, from demanding Army Rangers. gala’s keynote speaker, and informing that the nearby waterfalls car- where they walked 1.25 miles vertically Visitors to his hospital room at Wal- emphasized the key role of ried the name “Cascadas de Juan Pablo down from an altitude of 3,330 m.a.s.l to ter Reed Army Medical Center heard PIASA in integrating the Pol- II.” Five years later, next to this plaque, the canyon bottom in Canco at an alti- his vow to rejoin his unit. They nodded, ish scientific community in an array of four bronze plaques were tude of 1,330 m.a.s.l. smiled, admired his spunk and didn’t the United States, as well as also cemented into the rock for what Being a participant of the kayaking seem to believe a word, says his wife, the merits of longtime former proved to be a historic event. expedition Canoandes of 1981, it was Kimberley. PIASA Director and President A ceremony was held exactly on May the fulfillment of another dream, which But he wasn’t trying to impress. Dr. Tadeusz Gromada. 28, 2011, the 30th anniversary of the was to commemorate the Polish Pope, “I don’t like people telling me I can’t “When Richard Daley de- discovery of the waterfalls and the can- the greatest traveler and pilgrim of all do something,” he says. cides not to run for Mayor of yon by Polish kayakers. The participants time, and the achievements of Poles all With help from his false leg, Sgt. 1st Chicago and Oprah Winfrey of this ceremony had to pass their own over the world. Class Kapacziewski, 28, races down an retires from her popular af- “way of the cross,” by walking over 17 Afghan road through enemy fire to reach ternoon TV show, it’s time to miles to reach this destination. The nar- HOLY MASS ON A STONE ALTAR. On a fellow Ranger who had been shot in take the hint, it’s time for me row paths from the pre-Inca era led them See “Colca Canyon,” page 4 See “Kapacziewski,” page 4 GROMADA: Mainstay of to leave,” said Gromada, dur- PIASA since joining in 1961. ing his closing remarks. Prof. Mieczyslaw Bole- Documenting Summer Means Easy Livin’ at the Działka PHOTO: RICHARD POREMSKI P. slaw Biskupski of Central Connecticut State University is “Babcia Wisia” JANOWKA, Poland — the new PIASA director; Dr. Bozena Leven is the new Ex- So, just what is a działka, ecutive Director. Granddaughter to Preserve anyway? Well, it translates Veteran’s Experience in into English as an allotment, COURT MAY REOPEN KATYN CASES. (PAP) — The Warsaw Uprising plot or parcel of land. But to European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, the Poles it is much, much has ruled that it will grant consideration of complaints LOS ANGELES — Jad- more than that. The działka lodged by Polish citizens against Russian authorities re- wiga (“Wisia”) Konopacka’s (pronounced ‘jow-ka’) oc- garding irregularities in Moscow’s investigation into the grand-daughter, Karina Wiel- cupies a very special place World War II Katyn crime. gosz, travels from Holly- in the psyche and soul of the The ruling is being hailed as a breakthrough by families wood to Warsaw to explore Polish people. During the lan- of the victims. and document her Babcia’s guid summertime it becomes Six separate complaints have been filed in Strasbourg (grandmother’s) heroism dur- a quiet and relaxing idyllic since 2007, lodged by both individuals and groups. Key al- ing the Warsaw Uprising. Wi- refuge, providing needed re- legations are that the official Russian investigation, which sia was 23 years old during lief from the dark, cold win- was broken off in 2004, was ineffective, and that the fami- the 1944 Uprising. ter, as well as an escape from lies of the victims have been treated in a degrading fashion. A typical działka located in the small village of Janowka, about A photograph of Karina the crowded city apartment 12 miles east of metropolitan Lodz, Poland. The sizzling BBQ Although the official Association of Katyn Families Wielgosz aged five, enjoy- blocks, and all the stress and passed a resolution in 2008 stating that material compensa- grill, at right, promises just one of the many bounties that ing a picnic lunch beside her strains of everyday life. The the summer abode has to offer. tion will not be sought — a stance that was reaffirmed in Babcia Wisia, is a fond me- działka ���������������������also functions some- 2010 — families are still pressing for closure on several is- mento of her childhood. Her what clinically as a very wel- river, farmland, or in a moun- advantage of becoming a sues, including the full rehabilitation of the executed men. relationship with her mater- come and easily accessible tainous or seashore area. year-round residence. Flow- The latter process, normally applied to those unjustly sen- nal grandmother is something retreat conducive to recharg- Normally, the basic dwelling ers, vegetables, fruits and tenced in court, would clear the slain of any stain on their she values beyond measure. ing and renewing one’s self. is not large, being cabin-like fruit trees are grown in abun- honor under Russian law. Having recently lost her pa- A działka is typically a in size. But, lately with more dance, no matter the circum- Russian authorities have stalled the matter of rehabilita- ternal grandmother, Karina small holding located in a prosperous times afoot, some stances of the dwelling. tion, amidst claims of complications owing to the fact that laments that she did not re- rural setting near, or ideally działki are now much larger The działki people amuse technically, the 22,500 Polish citizens — largely reserve cord those remarkable stories next to, a protected forest or and more elaborate in style and enjoy themselves by pre- officers, were executed without trial. See “Wisia” page 4 nature preserve, lake, stream, and comfort, with the added See “Działka,” page 4 2 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2011 • OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY YEAR ALMANAC VIEWPOINTS Follow us on Facebook or visit us on the Who Will Tell Polonia’s Story? internet at: Boxes in archives in Orchard in Chicago—just a few of the many and, ultimately, you and I.