St. Mary’s Preparatory Students Honor Polish Heritage and Veterans with Cemetery Clean-Up

The Blue Army, also known as Błękitna Armia, was a unit of Polish volunteers who fought alongside Allied forces in World War I. Comprised mainly of Polish immigrants from the United States and Canada, these men played a pivotal role in securing Poland’s

independence in 1918. After the war, many returned to America, where they faced illness and poverty. The Polish community, led by organizations such as the Polish Ladies Auxiliary and SWAP (Polish Army Veterans Association), ensured these veterans were given
a dignified final resting place.

The Polish Institute, in partnership with St. Mary’s Preparatory, continues to uphold the memory of these unsung heroes. The November 22 event included cleaning gravesites, placing Polish flags, and laying evergreen wreaths at key monuments. The students were joined by Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Headmaster Leonard Karschnia, St. John Paul II Liturgical Center Chairman Joseph Majcher, and Polish Institute Associate Director of Polonia Affairs Ania Bieciuk.

The day was as much about education as it was about reverence. Students learned about the Blue Army’s historic role in World War I, Poland’s fight for independence, and the contributions of the Orchard Lake Schools' past rectors and faculty. Prayers were recited in English, Polish, and Latin, reflecting the occasion's profound spiritual and cultural significance.

Ania Bieciuk reflected on the importance of this work, stating: “Honoring those who came before us is both a responsibility and a privilege. The sacrifices and perseverance of the Polish Blue Army veterans and our Orchard Lake predecessors remind us of the strength and resilience of our heritage. Through storytelling and acts of service, we pass these traditions and values to younger generations, ensuring their legacy endures. In these moments of connection, we learn who we are and what we owe to those who paved the way before us.”

The cemetery, which also houses a memorial for the Orchard Lake Schools, is a testament to the enduring bond between the institution and the Polish community. In addition to the gravesites of the Blue Army soldiers, the cemetery is the resting place of Orchard Lake chancellors, rectors, and professors, as well as local Polish American veterans of World War II. 

The day was made possible by the generous support of community partners:

• Irena’s Pastry & Bistro provided boxed lunches for the volunteers.
• Srodek’s Campau Quality Sausage provided znicze (grave candles) for the gravesites.
• Jeanne’s Flower Shop contributed wreaths for the memorials. 

Special thanks also go to the staff at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, notably Tony Bennett, who joined the tour and offered valuable insights about the cemetery’s history.

For more information on the Forgotten Volunteers of the Blue Army, including the full story of their sacrifices and legacy, please visit: https://picrol.org/polish-american-veterans-of-the-blue-army-of-general-haller/ 

Cześć ich pamięci!
(Honor their memory!) 

About the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake

The Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake is dedicated to preserving and promoting Polish heritage, culture, and history. Through educational initiatives, cultural events, and community engagement, the Institute fosters a more profound understanding
of Polish American contributions and traditions.