University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Polish Legion of American Veterans. Kobus-Molenda Post No. 49 (South Milwaukee, Wis.).

Records, 1965-1979.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 54 and Milwaukee Tape 9

.2 cubic ft. (1 small archives box) + 1 audio cassette tape

ABSTRACT: Records of a South Milwaukee chapter of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, formed by Americans of Polish ancestry in 1941. Among the records, which date from 1965, are fragmentary correspondence and financial records, minutes, membership rosters, two notebooks kept by post officers, programs, news clippings, and papers regarding the 1967 PLAV state convention, which was hosted by Post No. 49. Beginning in 1976, the post has sponsored an annual polka mass at St. John's Catholic Church, in memory of John Kobus and George Molenda; concerning the polka masses are publicity materials, music scores, a program, and a tape recording of the 1978 mass.

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: The records of Post No. 49 of the PLAV illustrate some of the group's activities for the period 1965-1978. Earlier records apparently no longer exist; the 1941-1965 records were accidentally discarded, probably in 1965, and other records were stolen in 1975 and never recovered. Those records still in existence consist of fragmentary correspondence and memoranda, including printed form letters from the PLAV State Department; financial records, mainly canceled checks and bank statements; membership rosters; minutes of monthly meetings; and two notebooks with drafts of correspondence, notes, and memos, kept by officers of the post. There are programs from installation of officers ceremonies, banquets, dances, Memorial Day observances, and from the soapbox derby races sponsored by several South Milwaukee veterans' groups. Also included are correspondence, notes, publicity and other papers regarding the 1967 PLAV state convention hosted by Post No. 49, a few photographs of PLAV-sponsored events, news clippings, and miscellaneous. Concerning the polka masses are a folder of publicity materials, a program, and music scores, and a tape recording of the 1978 mass.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The John Kobus Post No. 49 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans was organized in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin in memory of Kobus, who died during World War I. The first installation of officers of the post was held 4 May 1941, with Felix Olszewski as first commander. Post No. 49 joined several other PLAV chapters in the Milwaukee area, and together with chapters elsewhere in the state, were united under the Wisconsin State Department of the PLAV. Among the purposes of the Polish Legion of American Veterans are the promotion of patriotism, defense of the U.S. Constitution, combating of communism and its propaganda, and preservation of fraternity and friendships through patriotic, charitable, educational, and civic work. There also exists a ladies' auxiliary of Post #49, which like the men's organization, works with veterans' hospitals, does volunteer work, sponsors a queen contest, and commemorates military and veterans holidays.

In 1965 the name of the post was changed to the Kobus-Molenda post, with the addition of the name of George Molenda, who died in World War II. The more recent activities of the post have included hosting the 1967 state convention of the PLAV, and the annual polka masses in honor of John Kobus and George Molenda. Sponsored at St. John's Catholic Church since 1976, the masses feature traditional church hymns sung to a polka beat by veterans' choruses formed for the occasion from several church choirs, and military color guards as well as the liturgy. In addition, the polka mass brought together Polish Roman Catholics and Polish National Catholics for the first time after the bitter secession of the National Catholic group.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Polish Legion of American Veterans. Kobus-Molenda Post No. 49 (South Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1965-1979. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 54 and Milwaukee Tape 9. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Polish Legion of American Veterans. Post 172 (St. Francis, Wis.). Records, 1973 and 1980. (Milwaukee Small Collection 138)

Polish Legion of American Veterans. Richard Jakubiak Post No. 67 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1968-1977. (Milwaukee Small Collection 101)

Polish Legion of American Veterans. Wisconsin State Dept. Ladies' Auxiliary. Records, 1937-1979. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 55)

Polish Legion of American Veterans. Wisconsin State Dept. Records, 1947-1979. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 53)

ACQUISITION: Presented by the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Post No. 49, via Donald E. Broskowski of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession number M81-359).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in April 1982.

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

Polish Americans--Wisconsin--South Milwaukee--History.
South Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
World War, 1939-45--Veterans--Wisconsin--South Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 54 MILWAUKEE TAPE 9	BOX	FOLDER
Correspondence and Memos, 1965-1979	1	1
Financial Records, 1967-1968	1	2
Membership Rosters, 1966, 1968	1	3
Minutes, 1965-1976	1	4
Miscellaneous, 1969, 1974-1976, 1979, undated	1	5
News Clippings, 1967-1973, 1975-1977, 1979, undated	1	6
Nowinski, Arnold J., Notebook, 1966	1	7
Photographs, 1973-1976, undated	1	9
Polka Masses, St. John's Catholic Church, 1976-1978	1	10
Polka Masses, St. John's Catholic Church, 1978 [Milwaukee Tape 9]
Programs, 1965-1976	1	11
State Convention, 1967	1	12
Wackowski, Joe, Notebook, 1965	1	8