Why Should I become a member of the PNA?  We are a Fraternal organization, as you may know. But, what does this mean? How are we different? What does the PNA offer that I cant get some where else?  The answer is that as a Member of the PNA, you are considered as family in the PNA. Our Members are all part of an organization that cares about you. Assets that the PNA acquires goes right back to our Members, our Polish heritage, and what we represent and support and not lining pockets of big cooperates or any off shore investors.  We support Poland, all people of Polish descendent's, Polish-Americans and take Pride in our Polish heritage.
Next Lodge Business Meeting: July 15th 2014, 6:00 PM, ACPL Little Turtle Branch, 2201 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Our Lodge has had a website for close to 10 years!  We now have a blog on Bogger.com and a presence on Facebook.  We believe this will help to connect more people and be able to share information together.
Our Lodge created it's website in 2002 using Geocities
www.geocities.com/pna3149
Geocities, ownd by Yahoo, closed its doors in 2009
Prior to it's closer we purchased our domain name: http://www.pna3149.com/
In 2009 we created a blog using  Blogger or Blogspot.com:
http://whiteeaglelodge.blogspot.com/
which is owned by Google

In 2010 we created a Facebook profile:
(White) Eagle Lodge:
http://www.facebook.com/White.Eagle.Lodge

The Facebook White Eagle Lodge Page is at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/White-Eagle-Lodge/136503086394002
this url is quite long, though our profile is wasy to find!

I am working on a way to shorten the facebook URL.  Also, working on combining the three services pna3149.com, blog and facebook to work together. 

Saturday, December 20, 2008

First National Conference of the Polish American Community

I would like to share some point make at a past conference.  These points discussed are all important items for us to think about that pertain to our Polish Freternal Society.

First National Conference of the Polish American Community held in Chicago
on October 15 -16, 2009
Northeastern Illinois University, Fine Arts Center, 5500 N. Saint Louis Ave. Chicago, IL 60625
(PAC host the first National Conference of the Polish American Community in the 21st Century)

General Session 3 - Leadership in the Polish American Community

    Dr. Casimir Kowalski , “passing the torch." -  Too many leaders hold on to their positions too long and prevent new leaders from having an opportunity. New leaders need to be developed. Any action is better than none... leaders are made not born.

    Laura Felusiak, PAC Secy. TX - ...bridge the gap between young and old. Education is a lifelong journey.  ...“share the vision, trust, and keep it.”

    Mr. Zielinski - 501(c)8 Fraternal Benefit Associations must be not-for-profit, have subordinate lodges in the country, offer a benefit (e.g., life or health insurance), and have a common bond among members that separates them from others.

    The original mission of the fraternals to provide mutual assistance has over time been supplanted (replaced)  by government, employer, and union programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, life and health insurance, and pensions.

    ... Fraternals now have turned to volunteerism, community services, and scholarships. Will fraternals remain relevant; will the resources be there to (keep them alive)?... If ethnics buy insurance, IRAs, annuities. Fraternals offer excellent, competitive insurance, annuity, IRA and other products at lower cost and higher return than commercial firms. Because they are non-profits, they return their earnings to their members, communities, and Polish American organizations such as the PAC. They also are highly regulated and safe.

Issue Session A2 - Role and Importance of Ethnic Organizations

    Dr. Susanne Lotarski, PAC VP for PR, - Polonia and Poland are very different today from what they were when the PNA or PAC were founded. For most of its history in America, Polonia’s top goal was regaining freedom and independence for Poland. Twenty years ago this goal was achieved.

    ...we need to go back to our roots in this country. Our organizations always had dual missions. One was Poland’s freedom and independence. The other was the well-being and advancement of Polish Americans in the United States...  this latter mission, advancement of Polish Americans and rejuvenation of Polish American organizations, that is the crisis of our times. So much of our Polish heritage (culture) in this country has disappeared or is in danger of  disappearing. Too few Polish Americans under age 50 know about or care to get involved in the Polish community... These are the challenges we face. Polonia needs new energy, new directions, modern communications, and strengthened unity of purpose. In working toward this, Polonia needs a new partnership with Poland.

There are just a few point made at the Conference.  Read more at: http://www.pac1944.org/conf09/CepielikReport.htm

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

PNA Insurance Seminar with Bob Perkins

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Allen County Indiana Cemetery Project

How to search for family or loved ones tombstone photo located in Indiana using the Allen County Indiana Cemetery Project, hosted by roorswed.Ancestory.com.
  See the Allen County Indiana Cemetery Project
(hosted by: RootsWeb.com - Ancestry.com)http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inallcem/
(note: correct link for your cemetary may be difficult to find)


This is a project of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution to document all cemeteries in Allen County.  Use the search function in the upper left hand corner of the page to help locate a person's tombstone. (but please read on:)
Searching by name or last name doesn't seem to work.  Do this:  Enter the cemetery name in to the search box. Click the correct link from results, hopefully the first lsited, then go by the correct (plot) Section Transcriptions and Photos.  Then look by the index of last name initials from there.  Example below:

[If you do not get the correct link to for cemetary, make note the Township of the cemetary. Use the left side Township button/links to search. note: Make sure to use a correct link that states "Transcriptions and Photos" If this link doesn't exhist, the cemetery may not be in the database yet.]


Searching by Cemetary, Section and Name for photo:
You must know the Section the plot is in to find photo. 
(you would have to be familiar of the location of the plot from a past visit to locate section from map)

See if the cemetary has a website anda map of the sections: example http://www.catholic-cemetery.org/ Try a google search for the cemetery and section map.  
I found the example thru google search resulting with a Section map from Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana: http://www.acgsi.org/cemplat/.  I am looking for the name Wilenski in Section E.

go to the:
Allen County Indiana Cemetery Project: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inallcem/
Enter cemetery name in to the search or locate cemetery  or  by going thru the list of links to find (in my example) the Catholic Cemetery: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inallcem/adams/catholic.html

go to the:

(scroll down to section)
Section E Transcriptions and Photos

(scroll down to section - names was indexed)
Section E Names N-Z

(scroll down to find name)
Wilenski Alexander 1915 - 2001
Wilenski Helen S. 1917 – 2000
Photo

(view the photo by clicking on Photo)

 


While not all grave sites are going to be found in this database, it is extensive.  I suspect some older ones were left out, but not intentionally. 

Sunday, April 27, 2008

An old Polish wedding tradition, The Sharing of Bread, Salt and Wine

The parents of the bride and groom greet the newly married couple and present them with rye bread, lightly sprinkled with salt, and a glass of wine. The bread represents the hope that the bride and groom will never go hungry.  The salt is a reminder that life may be difficult at times, but that they will learn to cope.  The wine symbolizes the desire that the couple will never go thirsty, and that their lives will be filled with health and happiness.  The parents kiss the newly married couple as a sign of welcome, unity, and love.


Another tradition is the vodka shot tradition. Two shot glasses are presented to the newlywed couple along with the bread and salt, one is filled with water and the other vodka.  The one that gets the vodka shot signifies who will be the one who "runs the household."

Different regions of Poland may of had simular but a different variation of customs and traditins unique to that region.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008



Płock Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Masovia, example of Romanesque architecture in Europe, contains the tombs of Władysław I Herman (died 1102) and Bolesław III Wrymouth (died 1138) - kings of Poland. The first definite reference to the cathedral is in 1102.  The present Romanesque cathedral was built after a fire, 1129, and took from 1136 until 1144.