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/