The Way It Was: From Their Struggles They Built A Future

Grounded By Faith . . . Steeled By Courage And Resolve

By Andrea Grimes

With the regaining of Polish independence in 1918, the government pressed to unify the country economically, politically, socially, and ethnically.

Then out of nowhere, Hitler landed a sucker punch that brought the world to its knees.

On September 1, 1939 German forces invaded Poland, waging war with might and main. At every turn, Hitler tried to destroy the Polish spirit, however; brave Poles retaliated by becoming guerilla fighters defending their freedom.

Referring to that chapter of Poland’s history: “Wielun, the tiny Polish western town located 30 kilometres from the German border, was Hitler’s first target, and its people were among the first victims of WWII,” recounts Arleta Sziler, Recording Secretary

Polish Army Veterans Association Post

126 (Windsor) and President Polish

Canadian Women’s Federation Chapter

20. “Roughly 500 people, including women, children and elderly, died during air raids on their town on September 1, 1939. Countless more were injured.”

We know all too well about those stains and strains of WWII — for lives lost, for lives that were forever changed.

“On the Mont Ormel battlefield, south of the city of Caen, were the 1st Polish Armoured Division who were battling to close an escape route of thousands of fleeing German troops,” were the notes that Windsor’s 96-year old WW II Veteran Stuart Johns (who served with the Canadian Grenadier Guards) added to his Regiment war diary of August 21, 1944. “They had been surrounded on a ridge and were almost out of ammo, water and other supplies. The Grenadier Guards broke through to relieve them and evacuate several hundred wounded. The Poles cried with joy when we arrived and from what they said, I doubt if they will ever forget this day and the help we gave them.”

In as much as generations of Polish families were victims of social injustices and suffered human indignities, the resiliency of the Polish “spirit” — the foundation of national pride — is steeled by courage and resolve.

When Polish refugees arrived in Canada through Pier 21, many did so with little more than hope and the absolute strength of their faith.

“Windsor’s first established Polish business was most likely Blak’s Bakery, which opened in 1917,” indicates Peter Sawicki, historian of the Polish Canadian Student’s Association of Windsor. “The first Polish couple to be married in Windsor was Mary Polly Chmay and John Lawrence Salach on January 8, 1929.”

By far, the achievements and accomplishments made by many Polish Canadians foster a steadfast commitment to honouring family values and preserving traditions, where the strength of the Polish heritage contributes to the diverse fabric of our community’s cultural mosaic.

Photo depicts a presentation of a Harley Davidson motorcycle by Windsor’s Polish community to the Essex Regiment (Tank) August 25, 1940. From left: Frank Solinia; Lieutenant-Colonel Day Warnia, the Essex Regiment (Tank); and John Kaniewski. Solinia and Kaniewski were officials of the Polish Relief Fund Committee of Windsor. Photo courtesy of the Windsor Regiment Association.

“Since 1995, the Polish Canadian

Business and Professional Association

of Windsor (PoloniaWindsor.ca/pcbpa) has promoted solidarity, diversity, and achievement in business development and education, as well as charitable and cultural activities,” states the association’s President Jerry Barycki.

“After 25 years of dedication to fostering leadership performance, our organization will honour Polish Canadian individuals and families who are making a difference in our community, with a tribute on November 18, 2022.” (Note: The 2020 event was postponed due to pandemic restrictions).

Quoting former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Walesa: “The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.” As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Medal, for her volunteer service to Veterans and a number of non-profit organizations supporting Windsor’s military families’ network.