University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Polish Army Veterans Association of America. Post 3 (Milwaukee, Wis.).

Records, 1920-1974.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 45 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 27

1.2 cubic ft. (3 archives boxes) + 1 microfilm reel (35 mm)

ABSTRACT: Records of Milwaukee Post #3 of the Stowarzyszenie Weterano Armii Polskiej, or Polish Army Veterans Association (PAVA). PAVA is an organization of Americans and Canadians who enlisted as volunteers in World War I and II service with the Allied Polish Army in Europe. After each of these wars, the duty of providing and securing financial relief for the disabled veterans fell to the association because these veterans of the Polish Army are not entitled to United States Veteran Administration benefits, and as Americans or Canadians they would not receive assistance from Poland. Post #3 was active in patriotic affairs, the life of the Polish community, and the national organization.

Many of the records were written by Barney F. Spott, Sr., founder of the Post, State Commander for many years, frequent delegate to international conventions, and member of the Wisconsin legislature. Records consist of correspondence, minutes, speeches, newspaper clippings, and convention and anniversary books.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: Much of the correspondence and a significant number of the speeches and reports were written by Barney F. Spott, Sr., founder of Post 3, State Commander for many years, frequent delegate to international conventions, and member of the Wisconsin legislature (1927-1928). A prominent concern expressed through much of the collection is the securing of aid for the disabled veterans through the Ignace J. Paderewski Invalid Fund. A primary fundraising method was an annual appeal through the Milwaukee area Polish churches. However, it was noted in a letter of October 26, 1954 (Box 2, Folder 7) that it was becoming increasingly difficult to raise funds through the churches as the younger pastors were not sympathetic to PAVA's needs. Several letters to the Catholic bishops of Milwaukee outline the history of the Fund. Also, an attempt was made through Congressman Clement Zablocki to secure Veterans Administration benefits for PAVA veterans.

The triennial International Conventions and Post activities also illustrate a continued concern for the disabled Polish Army veteran and a wide interest in patriotic affairs, the life of the Polish community and the national organization. Of special interest are the records of the 1964 Convention hosted by Post 3 in Milwaukee. In addition to general program materials, these records contain planning notes and correspondence.

On microfilm are three series of newspaper clippings: a scrapbook of a 1927 trip to Poland contest sponsored by Post 3, clippings of special interest to veterans, and clippings on Polish community activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The Polish Army Veterans Association is an organization of American and Canadian veterans who enlisted as volunteers in World Wars I and II, serving with the Allied Polish forces in Europe. In May 1921, the association was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, for the sole purpose of aiding the physically disabled and handicapped veterans. Post 3 was organized in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, prior to the establishment of the National Association, in July 1920.

Ways and means had to be found to meet the needs of the disabled, and by 1925 the demands for financial aid for hospitalization and burials began to be felt deeply. A special fund for these purposes was established. The first person to realize the necessity for helping the disabled Polish Army Veterans was Polish patriot and patron of PAVA, Ignace Jan Paderewski, who contributed $10,000. In appreciation of this gesture, the fund was named the Ignace J. Paderewski Invalid Fund.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Polish Army Veterans Association of America. Post 3 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 45. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTION:

Polish Falcons of America. Nest 725 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1916-1930, 1946-1994. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 60)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Stowarzyszenie Weteranow Armii Polskiej, via E. Konieczny of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession number M81-121).

PROCESSING: Processed by Mark G. Thiel and Joanne Hohler in October 1981.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Ignace J. Paderewski Fund.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
World War, 1939-45--Veterans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 45 MILWAUKEE MICRO COLLECTION 27	BOX	FOLDER
Activities, Auditorium Bingo Party, 1938	3	17
Activities, Eulogies, Obituaries, Funeral Programs and Notes, 1952, undated	3	18
Activities, Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, 1968	3	19
Activities, Speeches and Songs from Post Activites, undated	3	20
Administration, Autograph Guest Book, 1934-1949	2	5
Administration, Financial Records, Beverages, 1952-1975	1	4-5
Administration, Financial Records, Cash Book, 1953-1967	1	3
Administration, Financial Records, Dues, Addresses, and Attendance, 1923, 1925-1934	2	2
Administration, Financial Records, Group Meetings and Hall Rental, 1939-1962	2	1
Administration, Financial Records, Scattered Statements, 1922, undated	2	3
Administration, Government Forms, 1928, 1938-1974	2	4
Administration, Minutes, Directors of the Post Home, 1945-1950	1	1
Administration, Minutes, Post Meetings, 1947-1956	1	2
Correspondence, Alfonso Korzeniowski, 1920, 1937, 1952	3	2
Correspondence, Clergy, 1942-1953, 1959, 1967	2	8
Correspondence, General, 1949-1951, 1955, 1961-1968	2	6
Correspondence, Government Agencies, 1928, 1937, 1943-1973	2	9
Correspondence, Other Polish American Veterans Association (PAVA) Groups, 1928, 1934-1970	2	7
Correspondence, Salomeja Burger, 1958-1959	3	1
Conventions, District One, 1947	3	9
Conventions, District One, 1955	3	14
Conventions, District One, 1956	3	10
Conventions, District One, 1960	3	15
Conventions, District One, 1960-1968	3	11
Conventions, District One, 1966	3	16
Conventions, District One, 1970	3	12
Conventions, District One, 1972	3	13
Conventions, International, 1952	3	3
Conventions, International, 1955	3	4
Conventions, International, 1958	3	5
Conventions, International, 1961	3	6
Conventions, International, 1964	3	7
Conventions, International, 1967	3	8
Historical Records, Polish American Veterans Association (PAVA) and Post #3, 1945	3	21
Historical Records, Josef Pilsudski, Articles, 1934	3	22
Newsclippings, General, 1968-1971, undated [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 251-275]
Newsclippings, Veterans, 1946-1949 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 51-75]
Newsclippings, Veterans, 1950-1954 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 76-100]
Newsclippings, Veterans, 1955-1959 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 101-125]
Newsclippings, Veterans, 1960-1965 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 126-150]
Newsclippings, Veterans, 1965-1967 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 151-175]
Newsclippings, Veterans, 1967-1972 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 176-200]
Newsclippings, Veterans, undated [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 201-250]
Scrapbook, Trip to Poland Contest, 1926-1927 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 27, reel 1, frame 1-50]