For Dept. of Ohio events visit the web blog

Visit the State web blog - http://plavohio.blogspot.com/

2010 Post Events

19 Jun 10 - Post Steak Dinner
25 Sep 10 - Post Clam Bake
20 Nov 10 - Post Chili Cook Off

For more information & tickets call post at 216 771 8905

JOANN THOMPSON NAMED POST 30 AUXILIARY WOMAN OF THE YEAR

The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A., Department of Ohio, will be honoring Joann Thompson, a member of Polish Legion of American Veterans Chapter #30 Auxiliary as the 2009 Woman of the Year. The PLAV is one of only 48 veterans’ organizations in the United States that are chartered by Act of Congress.

Joann was born in Lakewood, Ohio to parents of Polish descent. She has one surviving brother, Richard Przybysz. Her brother Conrad is deceased. She was educated at St. Hedwig’s Grade School and St. Augustine Academy. She met her husband, William, in Lakewood at a Polish Club and were married on February 20, 1965.

Joann has held positions in the clerical field and was a data entry operator for Lakewood Hospital. She is active in her parish, Assumption of Mary and was a Board Member of their Credit Union.

Joann joined the PLAV Chapter #30 Auxiliary in 1982. She has helped out in many dinner or luncheon functions at the Post. In 2006, she was elected to the position of Financial Secretary, a job she is currently serving. Joann also is a volunteer at Wade Park Hospital and helps out for our Ward Treats.

On a state and national level, Joann has served on various committees for the National and State Conventions, such as Registration and Boutique Committees. In 2008, she accepted responsibility for the Department of Ohio Ways and Means Co-chair.

Joann is very proud of her Polish American Heritage and maintains strong family values. She considers it an honor to serve all veterans of the PLAV and Auxiliary. In 1984, her husband William passed away at a young age but not before they were blessed with the birth of two children, Ann-Marie and Steven.

A Banquet honoring her will be held on December 5, 2009 at the Birchwood Banquet & Party Center, 7540 Northfield Road (State Route 8), Walton Hills, Ohio 44146, (one block north of Alexander Road). The price per ticket is $30.00, which includes dinner, program and open bar. For table or individual reservations, call Mr. Dick Boll, 440-885-5925 by November 27, 2009. Doors open at 4:00 pm.

One does not have to be Polish to join The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A., .For membership information, interested readers should visit the Department of Ohio Web blog, http://plavohio.blogspot.com/

Calendar of Events - updated 22 Sep 09

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department of Ohio

Sept 26 Post #30 Clam Bake, Call Post #30, for more information (216)771-8905

Sept 26 BROOKLYN POLISH AMERICAN HOME CLAM BAKE; SEE AMPOL BAR MANAGER BERNIE WALTERS FOR TICKETS (216) 661-5315

Oct 03 Post #13 Clam Bake, Call Post #13, for more information (216) 341-9556

Oct 04 Polonia Foundation of Ohio Awards and Scholarship Cocktails at 1:00 and Banquet 2:00pm, St. Michaels Woodside Party Center in Broadview Heights, Ohio

Oct 10 Pulaski Day, Washington Park Assemble 9:30am Program starts at 10:00am

Oct 11 Post 31, Installation of Officers at 10:30am

Oct 17 State Conference, Post #31, 10:30 am. Need All Delegates

Oct 17 Post #58, Veterans Reverse Raffle, Call Post #58 for more information (216) 241-1788

Oct 23-25 NEC meeting, Michigan

Nov 14 Post 30, Chili Cook Off, for more information (216)771-8905

Nov 14 Post & Chapter 58 Fall Feast & Turkey Raffle, for more information (216) 241-1788

Nov 21 State Conference, Post #32, 10:30 am and Post 32 Installation of Officers

Dec 05 Veterans & Woman of the Year, Birchwood Party Center, Northfield

Dec 11 Post & Chapter #61 Christmas Party Lower Ampol Hall
Call Dolores for more information (216) 741-8157

Dec 12 Post #13 Spaghetti Dinner, Call Post #13, for more information (216) 341-9556
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010

March 27, 2010 VVA Chapter 15 Annual Dance at Brooklyn Hts, Rec Center call 216 398-1017

April 10, 2010 (Date is not official, No money down) Evening in Warsaw, Birchwood Party Center

June 10, 2010 Polonia Foundations Grand knights and Grand Ladies Dinner and Installation

June 27, 2010 (Date is set, no money down till Sept) State Picnic St Sava on Ridgewood Dr, Parma

September 10-13, 2010 National Convention in Michigan
Dates are subject to changes

ED ZELEK NAMED 2008 VETERAN OF THE YEAR

The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A., Post #30, has named Edwin S. Zelek as their 2008 Veteran of the Year.

Born in Cleveland, Zelek was the eldest of three siblings of Stanley and Mary Zelek. He attended Tremont and Buhrer Elementary Schools, the 6th and 7th grades at St. John Cantius School, and graduated from Lincoln High School in January, 1946. While at Lincoln High School, Zelek was with a music group that entertained veterans at the Crile Veterans Hospital on the grounds of the present Tri-C College in Parma. Some of the groups' vocalists were allowed in the wards to meet with the veterans. The buildings were all barrack type units.

After graduation in January 1946, Ed enlisted in the United States Army. His basic training was in Ft. McLelland, Alabama. Ed was assigned to Heidelberg. Germany, where he had played trumpet with the 61st AGF Band of the 3rd Army. After discharge Zelek joined Pulaski Post 30. Zelek’s father was Polish-born and joined Post #30 after World War One Army service. Like his son, he became very actively involved in the Post while his mother joined the Ladies Auxiliary.

Zelek has been the Post Bugler and has actually been a member of the PLAV since he was 12 years old. In his teen years, he vwas a member of the Department of Ohio Drum & Bugle Corps, in which they appeared at many conventions and parades. Till this day, Ed plays his bugle at many veteran affairs, including the Rittman National Veterans Cemetery, the Cleveland Memorial, St. John Cantius and other churches and cemeteries.

Zelek has been married to his wife, Clarice (Connie) for 57 years. Their marriage produced two children, Deborah Ann and Alan Edwin. They have been blessed with four grandchildren. Deborah attends DeVry University for a bachelor of Computer Information Systems. Zelek was employed by Yankee lines Trucking Company and Mason Dixon lines Trucking Company for 20 years, from which he is retired.

Both he and his wife operated Zelek's Floral Shoppe (opposite St. John Cantius Church) for many years. A talented musician, Zelek managed and played for dances and weddings with the George Maxim Orchestra (1948-1994). They both have been realtors for ERA Lentz since 1983. They have been chairpersons for ERA Lentz fund raisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising $297,000 in 22 years. Zelek is a member of the Knights of Columbus Vatican Council, and a 4th degree member of Archbishop Hoban Assembly. A fluent Polish speaker, Zelek and his wife are members of the Polish Genealogical Society. They have been residents of Parma’s Alden Drive for 51 years. For 50 of those years he has been an usher at St. Anthony of Padua Church.

A Banquet honoring him was recently hosted by the Department of Ohio at the Birchwood Banquet & Party Center, 7540 Northfield Road (State Route 8), Walton Hills, Ohio 44146, (one block north of Alexander Road).

The PLAV is one of only 48 veterans’ organizations in the United States that are chartered by Act of Congress. One does not have to be Polish to join The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A. For membership information, interested readers should visit call Department of Ohio Headquarters or visit the Department of Ohio Website, http://plavohio.blogspot.com/

DEPARTMENT OF OHIO WEBSITE

http://plavohio.blogspot.com/

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE POLISH TO JOIN US.

http://www.plav.org/eligibility.htm