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During the renovation of the grounds of the library, our friends at The Duffle Bag Inc continue to coordinate with the Presidential Library to bring a quality program indoors to the visiting public. This year I did a small display to educate and represent the Polish Air Force's contribution.
May 2013 - FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park, NY
An original example of a mid war "suits air crew" sometimes unofficially referred to as RAF battledress.
May 2013 - FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park, NY
Air navigation maps, photographic reconnaissance photos and aircraft identification models were on hand for the public to view.
May 2013 - FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park, NY
Original Sidcot flying suit, parachute harness and "C" helmet with "H" oxygen mask round out the display.
May 2013 - FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park, NY
There's not much one can say about this summer on the East Coast other than "hot." WWII Polish LHG members soldiered on, pun intended, through the 90+ temperatures and extreme humidity. Our display sought to portray the contribution of the Polish Carpathian Brigade during the defense of Tobruk. Something tells me it was probably cooler there originally than what we were experiencing in PA that weekend.
July 2013 - Joanna Furnace, Morgantown, PA
In addition to our standard infantry equipment display, Natalie debuted our fledgling Polish Red Cross display.
We all tried to stay hydrated and therefore did not have any heat casualties. If we did however, we would have had many original 1940's medical supplies on hand. Of course they're too expensive and old to use now, so our back up plan was to just suck it up, or bleed to death.
July 2013 - Joanna Furnace, Morgantown, PA
Through the diligence of Corp. Moore and Pvt. A. Petronis, no Germans attacked us throughout the weekend. Plus the Vickers has the added advantage of requiring at least one crew member to sit.
July 2013 - Joanna Furnace, Morgantown, PA
The field phone switchboard at headquarters. Always a favorite for the kids to play with.
July 2013 - Joanna Furnace, Morgantown, PA
A fun and exciting event was had over Labor Day weekend. As in years past, our display consisted of various uniforms and memorabilia on display for the public.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Here Chris Moore our resident Vickers expert and owner of the piece explains of the finer operational details to the public.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Visitors ponder the Bren guns' mysteries. Why is the magazine coming down from the top? Isn't this really a Japanese type 97? How do you aim it? No answers were received from the mannequin.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Here our AK female volunteer Veronika poses with Arkadiusz in the standard summer 1939 combat uniform. The weather was hot and humid so even this linen uniform became oppressive after a few hours.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Dennis Popelia in an even more oppressive wool wz36 uniform discusses the merits of the PIAT with visitors.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
One of the highlights of our weekend was having the honor of placing a wreath at the Katyn Memorial in the heart of the veteran's cemetery at the shrine. Here we march in formation to the monument.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Here our formation arrives at the monument.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
The firing detail consisting of Chris P, Jake B, Dennis P and Arek D prepare to move into position.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Veronika C and Chris M place our wreath.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
The riflemen fire a traditional blank, three round volley in honor of those who sacrificed all.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Our members present arms while in the distance Rich from the 17th century Polish Hussars played traditional Polish "taps" on the trumpet. We would like to pass our thanks onto him for taking the time to learn the bugle call.
September 2013 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA