Polish Times - Czas Polski - tygodnik polski w Detroit, USA

National Independence Day is a public holiday in Poland celebrated every year on November 11 to commemorate the anniversary of Poland’s assumption of independent statehood in 1918 after 123 years of partitions by Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Russia.

The process of restoration of Poland’s independence was gradual; the date chosen is the one on which Józef Piłsudski assumed control of Poland.

Every year the Polish Scouting Organization in Michigan commemorates the anniversary with a special ceremonial banquet.  This year the main theme was combined with another important anniversary - the 70th anniversary of the World War II breakout.
Two lectures were presented during the banquet.  Urszula Wojna talked about events of November 11, 1918 and Antoni Walawender spoke on the subject of September 1, 1939.

As in previous years the banquet was a perfect occasion to award people who, in special way, support and promote the Polish Scouting Organization.  George Lukowski, Leszek Bartkiewicz, Janina Orlik, Mieczysława Mrukowicz and Anna Babel were presented with special plaques.  Joanna Zawadzka and Jacek Miegoć were awarded with a “Gold Badge” and Małgorzata Mulik, Bogusława Tomaszewska and Jolanta Bujny were presented with a “Silver Badge”.

Present at the banquet was Stella Szczęsny, the President of the Polish National Alliance Council 122 who presented the Polish Scounting Organization with a check of $500.  The money was collected during the Council’s Summer Picnic.

Othe notable guests included: Mariusz Szajnert (President of the Polish American Congress - Michigan Division) and the Pastor of the Our Lady of Czestochowa church, Fr. Sławomir Murawka.