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The Republic of Poland Senator visited Cleveland

Republic of Poland Senator and Secretary of State, daughter of General Anders, Anna Maria Anders was in Cleveland on Sept 22nd.

The Polish Radio Program had the honor of interviewing Senator Anna Maria Anders, when she visited Cleveland on September 22, 2018. During the program, she talks about her life growing up in Britain in the Polish community and her relationship with her father. Later in the program, she speaks on the topics of how she got involved with Polish politics, her family, and her love and respect for veterans and the Polish army especially. Thanks to her background she has a deep connection to the Polish nation, it's history, and currently promoting the country and its culture throughout the world. 

The Visit

General Anders’ daughter, Anna Maria Anders, a Senator and Secretary of State of Poland arrived in Cleveland on September 22nd for the Trail of Hope Exhibit. Minister Anders’ Cleveland engagements also included topics covering Poland-US relations and NATO. She held a forum at Cleveland State University as part of her visit, followed by a commemorative stop to the Polish Cultural Garden for a Press Conference with US Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. The Polish Cultural Garden is located on East Boulevard and St. Clair Avenue. Both forum and press conference were open to the press and public. Following the press conference, there was a reception at the Polish American Cultural Center, 6501 Lansing Ave. where Cleveland's Polish community welcomed our distinguished guest. 

http://www.polishcenterofcleveland.org/polish-minister-cle-visit-and-trail-of-hope-exhibit/

The exhibition documenting the formation of the Polish Army in the Soviet Union in 1941 under the command of General Wladyslaw Anders opened in Cleveland September 19 - 30, 2018 at the Polish American Cultural Center, John Paul II located at 6501 Lansing Avenue in Slavic Village. It is still in Cleveland till the end of November and can be viewed in the Cleveland State Univesity's library. 

Entitled “Trail of Hope”, the exhibition shows the evacuation of Polish soldiers and civilians from Soviet Russia to Iran in a broad historical context, starting with the Soviet aggression against Poland on September 17, 1939, and the Polish-Soviet agreement of July 30, 1941.

The latter led to the formation of a Polish army from the survivors of some 1.5 million Poles who had been captured by the Soviets in 1939 or later deported to the Soviet Union. The army’s commander was General Anders, hence the name Anders Army.

Polish soldiers under General Anders’ command fought along with the British 8th Army, as the so-called Polish Second Corps, crossing the Mediterranean to Italy. In May 1944, they captured Monte Cassino, a strategic victory for the Allies in Italy.

Co-hosting the exhibit with PACC, JP II is Cleveland’s Andrew Bajda, son of Marian Bajda, a decorated Polish army veteran who served in Anders Army. Andrew Bajda is an assistant professor at Cuyahoga Community College and presents his father’s story about the power of freedom and strength of family in his book entitled “Captured in Liberation”.

 

Polish Senator and Secretary of State, Anna Maria Anders

Assistant Professor Andrew Bajda

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