Sergeant Jan Szymczyk (Ret.)Polish Air Force

Jan Szymczyk was born in Wilcza Wola, Poland and graduated from the Technical College in Brodnica, Poland. He worked in Grudziackiej Union of Agricultural Engineering Design until he was drafted in the Polish Air Force and served at Debrezno. From Senior Private to Corporal, he was promoted to Sergeant. After retiring from the service in 1959, he worked in an Electronic Equipment Factory, taking a course in general metalwork and graduating with a journeyman locksmith certifi cation. He met and married his wife Zofi a Koziol in Poland and in 1962, they and their 3 children left Poland and arrived in Chester, PA. In 1972, Jan became a citizen of the U.S.A.

His professional experiences began in Chester with B.J. Price & the Sun Ship Building & Dry Dock Co. and extended to designer and ship checking (Quality Assurance) the USS Kitty Hawk in San Diego, CA, the USNS San Jose at the Guam Naval Base and Designer, Nuclear Engineering at the General Dynamics Electric Boat Submarine Co. in Groton, CT. He retired in 2003.

Jan’s involvement in Polish American organizations are many.He held many positions, ranging from President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Director, and Commander in Chester, PA: Polish American Citizens Club, Polish National Alliance Lodge 650, Polish Army Veterans Post 104, St. Hedwig’s Catholic Club, and Polish American Heritage Association of Delaware County. He is a member of the Polish Air Force Veterans, Warsaw, Poland, Polish Air Force Wing, Philadelphia, PA, S.W.A.P. Post 12, Bensalem, PA and a delegate to Polish American Congress Eastern PA District.

He received the Meritorious Cross, Diploma Causa “Miecze Halerowskie”, Gold Cross and the Gold Medal from S.W.A.P. Headquarters, NY; the Silver Medal from S.P.K. Headquarters; the “Zwirki & Wigury” Medallion, Polish Air Force Medallion, Polish Air Force 90 Year Medallion and the “Pro Memoria” Medal from the Polish Air Force Alumni World Conventions in Warsaw, Poland.

Jan Szymczyk is currently residing in Linwood, PA where he lived with his recently deceased wife of 54 years. He has 3 children, 3 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Sto Lat!

Jerry (Slawek) Szymczyk (Ret.)Master Sergeant (MSG)

U.S.Army Jerry (Slawek) Szymczyk, son of Jan and the late Sophia Szymczyk, was born in Czrenice, Poland and came to the United States as an infant, where his parents settled in Chester, PA. He graduated from St. Hedwig School and Chichester High School.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1979 as an Armored Crew member, serving the U.S. Army as an Electronic Warfare Technician for over 20 years, retiring as Master Sergeant in 2000. The positions he held were Tank Commander, First Drill SGT in his Career Field, Military Intelligence Master Instructor, Master Fitness Instructor, Master Driver. and First Sergeant and New Equipment Training Branch Chief. He served at Fort Knox, KY, Germany, Korea and Fort Huachuca, AZ.

He has attended Cochise Community College, Texas State University, University of Maryland, the Defense Acquisition University and is currently enrolled in Cecil Community College, working towards a Government Logistics Degree. He has earned numerous formal Civilian and Military certifi cates and degrees.

Jerry Slawek belongs to numerous organizations, including Polish National Alliance, Polish American Heritage Association of Delaware County and he is a 17 year member of the American Legion Post 546.

He and his wife Sheila live in Colora, MD and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Sto Lat!

Congratulations to the Szymczyk Family and All Who Have Served the Cause of FreedomPhiladelphia Pulaski Day Parade Military Marshals 2015

Pictured left to right: Jan, Jerry Slawek & Jerry Ray Szymczyk

October / November 2015, Polish American News - Page 10

Best Wishes to Polonia As You Celebrate “Polish American Heritage Month”

During October

Sergeant First Class Jerry Ray SzymczykU. S. Army

Jerry Ray Szymczyk, son of Jerry (Slawek) Szymczyk and grandson of Jan Szymczyk, was born in Colorado Springs, CO. After graduating from Monmouth Regional High School in New Jersey, he joined the U.S. Army in 2002. Some of his schooling and education include the U.S. Army Ranger School, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Combat Diver Qualifi cation Course, Recon Surveillance Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Advance Leaders Course, Combat Life Saver Course and many more. He served in Giessen Depot, Germany, Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Bragg, N.C., Eglin AFB, FL, Fort Jackson, S.C. and Edgewood, MD. SFG Szymczyk is an Airborne Ranger qualifi ed infantryman serving for over 13 years in the Army. He is currently a Wounded Warrior transitioning from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to duty at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. He sequentially deployed with the 16th Engineer Battalion and the 82nd Airborne Division (ABN) in Iraq where he received his 1st Purple Heart Medal. He was then deployed to Afghanistan with the 82nd ABN. He was serving alongside the Polish Army in the Ghazni Province as his convoy fell under attack. He suffered injuries from an IED explosion and received his 2nd Purple Heart Medal. For his actions during the attack after his injuries, he received the Bronze Star. He also received 5 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Army Achievement Medals, 4 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Offi cer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Combat Diver Badge and Canadian Parachutist Badge.

SFG Szymczyk is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Home Land Security from the American Military University. He lives in Cecil County with his wife Meghan and their 3 children. Sto Lat!

Polish People’s University lecture in 2015: October 18, Third Sunday - Jacek Mazur “Niezwykle zycie i kariera Yehudy Nira, autor pamietnika, Utracone dziecinstwo” “Exceptional Life and career of Yehuda Nir”

November 15, Third Sunday - Andrzej Jozef Dabrowski “250 lat Teatru Narodowego” “250 years of history of the Polish National Theatre” December 6, First Sunday - Janusz Szlechta “Widziane Stad” - spotkanie autorskie “Seen for there - author meeting”

From the Desk of Janusz Romanski, Ph.D As the president of the Polish People’s University, Polski Uniwersytet Ludowy “PUL”, I offer best wishes to Polonia as we celebrate Polish American Heritage Month during October. In October PUL begins its monthly lecture series. The following is the schedule of our upcoming lectures for 2015: Polski Dom, Associated Polish Home, 9150 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA., at 3 P.M.