New Britain herald., 1930-10-06
Polish War Dept. Medals Given To Mayor Quigley and C.F. Smith
 On Anniversary of Haller Post
Presentations Are Made in
Presentations Are Made in Recognition of Their Work Among Poles - Mrs. Wladyslawa Ouch and Mrs. Mark Likwala Similarly Honored at Exercises Attended by 1,6O.

Memories of the World War were recalled last night when the Gen. Haller post, No. Ill, Polish Army Veterans Association of America ob- served it's 10th anniversary and the Miracle of the Wisla in 1920" at the Sacred Heart school hall on Gold street. About 1,500 attended.
 The program of patriotic ad- dresses and songs was begun by At torney B. J. Monkiewicz, master of ceremonies, when a silent tribute . was paid to the soldier dead. While tho audience remained standing buglersa fr<m Eddy-Glover post, American Legion, played Taps"
 Mayor George A. Quigley, the first speaker, stated that words were in adequate to express to the soldiers what their work had done in bring ing the conflict to an end. Address ing the ex-servicemen, he said, We have seen your broken bodies, your scars of the war but little we realize "iiht Joo Fo Soi1O ou6h.
 We sent you off with a benedic- ton, sent you as Crusa ders to re- store and preserve peace of the uni- verse. When the European conflict opened liberty almost died and you went forth to sacrifice yourselves so that peace again would rule the world.
 NV,,o Nf hi 1tf1 I,,v ing the war and it was part of my duty to go from home to home to inform parents, wives and children of those who had been killed. Many of them received the startling news with the hope that an error had been made in the identification.
 we have erected g. beautiful monument in their memory with their names emblazoned in gold and whate else could an ungraSeful city do?
 You, Polish soldiers, I need not say that New Britain is proud of you as though they were her own. l hope that at the next meeting of the legislature you will be exempt lTOIll pdylllS tllC pClSoll1k tdA, OiioN ing our appreciation in this small way"
 Medals Presented
 Dr. M. Marchlewski of New York, consul general of the Polish repub- lie, made the presentation of the Gen. Haller medal, issued by the Polish war department to Mayor cory{pna fn fhe Sn1- diers.
 Charles F. Smith. chairman of the board of directors of L. F. & C., who was unable to attend the celebration, received & similar honor from the Polish government presented by Walter Rzewski, president of the Polish Army Veterans association CS America, in recognition of his Sserv- ices during and after the World War.
 Others who received service med als with diploma were Mrs. Wladyslawa Ouch and Mrs. Mary Likwala. both prominent among the Polish residents of this city.
 MT. Smith, in appreciation of the honor, sent letter to s. F. Wojtu- six, president of the fourth district of the national organization, which was read to the audience. The let ter was as follows:
 IS. F. Wojtusik,
 "Fourth District President.
 Dear Sir:
 Ut is with great regret that l find myself physically unable to be present at the celebration this eve- ming.
 Your kind invitation and the honor you have conferred me are most highly appreciated.
 'I am highly in favor of the pur- poses of the Gen. Haller post and you can count on my continued in terest in that organization and in every good cause for the benefit of the citizens of New Britain of Po- fish birth.
 'Very truly yours,
 CHARLES F. SMITH"
 Army Veterans Leader Speaks
 MT. Rzewski spoke as follows:
 'The last few months have seen celebrations throughout the whole world of the 10th year anniversary of that great and memorable victory of the Poles over the Bolsheviks in the year 1920, popularly known as the Miracle of the Vistula," when the Polish troops stopped the onrush of the Bolshevik hordes on eastern Europe.
 ''The greatness of the victory will be better realized and understood when we consider under what diff cult circumstances and conditions the victory was gained in those memorable days of August, 1920.
 Stark and bitter visions of de- feat faced the Polish troops, when they began disorderly retreat on the eastern front from Kijow and the northern front on the Berezyna river was shattered by the enemy. AS a result of the bloody battles and retreat of few hundred milus whole divisions were reduced to reg iments, regiments to battalions and battalions to companies!
 Many of the bravest were dead or filled the hospitals, many were also held as prisoners. Those weak CT in spirit dispersed, scattering fear and distrust in the rears.
 Defeat seemed inevitable. The whole nation was shrouded in a great depression. In the interna- tional arena Poland was losing