Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Corps Veteran Edward Polski, who served in England, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany in World War II.
Edward Polski’s father was a World War I Veteran. In 1943, the Army Air Corps drafted the younger Polski and sent him to boot camp in Greenville, South Carolina. Following basic training, Polski served with 9th Air Force at Gleneig, Scotland, on the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Upon arrival he began as a clerk, but saw combat later in his deployment. During deployment, Polski and his fellow soldiers entertained themselves writing letters and attending dances in nearby English towns. One of Polski’s most memorable experiences was witnessing the first flying bomb attack on London. Polski also served in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany.
Once the war ended, Polski returned home to Chicago and went to school through the GI Bill. Throughout the remainder of his life, he volunteered at the Lakeside Veterans Administration in Chicago. Polski also kept in touch with some of his fellow service members. He valued the experiences that his military service gave him, especially being more involved with his family after coming home.
In August 2004, Polski passed away at the age of 82.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
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Graphic artist: Deanna Cannon
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We honor the service of Edward Polski.