8th State Convention of the P.L.A.V....

Polish-Americans are very sociable people that love to associate in fraternal organizations. There’s nothing like taking up the pluralistic notion of getting together for common interests – as American as Apple Pie! So, here’s an example of the Polish Legion of the American Veterans and Ladies Legion or P.L.V.A. conducting their 8^th State Convention in Hamtramck, Michigan on August 27-28, 1938.

The cover of the program melds American with Polish Patriotism together in a natural brew of unity and solidarity. First of all the colors red, white and blue stir up the emotions of the red, white and blue American Flag and the red and white Polish flag. There’s Lady Liberty carrying the American standard in one hand and a flaming torch symbolizing liberty in the other hand. Kneeling next to Lady Liberty is a American Doughboy with a rifle with an attached bayonet representing the veterans that the convention is representing.

In the bottom right and corner is the emblem of the Polish Legion of American Veterans with the eagle perched on top of the defensive shield framed by an olive wreath interspersed by a pentagon star. To the right of Lady Liberty is an information block punctuated by a quill used by a scribe to record for posterity what transpired at this convention. All of this sits on one of the most important yet sublime symbols on this cover. A winged shield surrounding two unobtrusive letters U P standing for a United Poland – the dream of Poles the world over for hundreds of years.