The following is a brief history of the Polish American War Veterans
Club of Caseyville, Illinois.
Early in 1946, with the Polish-American servicemen from the East Saint Louis,
Illinois area returning home, the idea of a veteran’s organization was discussed.
Much of the nurturing of that idea occurred at S.M. Tavern in East Saint Louis,
Illinois.
The P.A.W.V. (Polish American War Veterans) was most likely conceived by
Steve Mizulski. It was at his tavern that many group planning sessions
took place. Stanley Gula, Ben Nieciecki, Ted Skrabacz and John Radon
formed the nucleus with others. When interest mushroomed, the group
called an organizational in May 1946 at the Polish Hall, next to S.M. Tavern.
The P.A.W.V. was subsequently chartered by the State of Illinois.
The first officers of the club were; Stanley Gula, Commander, Stanley Boryczko,
Vice Commander, Joseph Skowron, Adjutant, Michael Bartosz, Quartermaster and
Adam Wondolowski, Sergeant At Arms. Other active leaders were Walter
Kloczak, Les Kloczak, Louis Skosky, Tony Wondolowski, Ted Skrabacz, John Babinski,
Aloysius Szablowski, Edward Cich and Ed Wondolowski, who were all charter
members.
The P.A.W.V. called Polish Hall on 7th Street, East Saint Louis home, from
it’s inception until the early 1960’s. While at that location, the P.A.W.V.
staged events at various parks, earning money and promoting their Polish
Heritage. Some events included; a Fathers Day party, ethnic celebrations,
and children’s events that included an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas
parties. The P.A.W.V. participated in numerous church and community
affairs, National and State holiday observations and organized a parade float,
still in use today. The P.A.W.V. organized teams to participate in
Baseball leagues and Bowling leagues in the 1950’s and 1960’s. They
took an active role in supporting the celebrations at the neighboring facilities,
including the Bohemian, Czech and Slovak groups at Saint Cyril & Methodius
Churches and at the Czech National Hall, the Croatians at Croatian Hall,
the Ukrainians at Ukrainian Hall and the Lithuanians at Immaculate Conception
Church in East Saint Louis.
During the 1960’s the declining area around Polish Hall forced the P.A.W.V.
to move to the American Legion Hall in Fairmont City, Illinois. After
approximately ten years at the American Legion Hall, under the leadership
of the Commander at the time, Albert “Butch” Rolek, and other dedicated members,
land was purchased for the permanent settlement of today’s’ P.A.W.V., 2180
North 81st Street, Caseyville, Illinois. The hall was completed in May
1979 and after several updates to the building, still serves as Home to the
P.A.W.V.
The P.A.W.V. celebrated 25 years as an organization, on October 2nd, 1971,
with a buffet and dance at the Catholic Knights & Ladies Hall in Belleville,
Illinois.
The P.A.W.V. celebrated 50 years as an organization, on June 1st, 1996,
with a picnic type affair at the Hall. Invited speakers included Congressman
Jerry Costello, State Representative Ron Stephens, Noel C. Stasiak, Jr. Vice
Commander, 11th and 12th Districts, American Legion, Department of Missouri,
Dave Jacknewitz, Trustee, Caseyville Township, and Albert “Butch” Rolek, Commander
P.A.W.V.
Today, the dreams of our founding members still flourish. Our organization
continues to grow and support the local communities and veterans alike.
We continue to hold Polka Dances through the spring and summer months; we
hold several Meat Shoots a year, Ham Shoot near Easter Sunday and a Turkey
Shoot near Thanksgiving. We hold an Annual Golf Scramble Tournament.
We hold an Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Party for the children. We
have a Family Day Picnic at the Pavilion for the community, we host a Memorial
Day Service at the Hall, we participate in numerous parades and we provide
a “Care Package” to veterans in area VA Hospitals and Nursing Homes.
In 1999, the P.A.W.V. formed an Honor Guard Unit, Commanded by Ed Sztukowski.
This Honor Guard unit has grown to 17 members and performs at numerous area
festivities and celebrations. The unit performs Full Military Honors
for Club Members and Veterans of the immediate area. As of 2007, over 2000 funerals have been performed. They perform every Wednesday
at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri and have
been commended for their performances by area active military units, the
VA, and the Missouri Funeral Honors Organization.
To be a member of the only Nationally Sanctioned Polish War Veterans Group,
you must be a Military Veteran, have a Polish Heritage, (that is Mother, Father,
wife or Grandparents) and be willing to continue the dream. There is
a $25.00 annual membership fee; which runs from January through December.
As you can see the PAWV is active as ever and enjoying the success as an
organization, flourishing in the community. A true example of the statement,
“Still Serving and Proud to be Polish”.
