History Of Nest 725 Polish Falcons Of America Thru 1976

The history of Nest 725, Polish Falcons of America, dates back to December 10, 1916, when a group of northsiders met to organize it. The founders were: Vincent Meklemberg, Boleslaus Orlikowski, Joseph Ksicinski, Sulkowski, Joseph Karas, Frank Zajaczkowski, John Maziarz, Egie Czechla, Chester Piotowski, Stephen Homa, Adam Kotecki, Lucian Urbanski, Joseph Zygmunt Bojarski, Stanislaus Bojarski, Felix Baran, Maksymilian Marciniak, Anton Puszcz. John Misiak, Julian Stempinski, John Spadarek, John Szelicki, Frank Romanski, Michael Wisniewski, Frank Mijal and Adam Rogowski. The meeting was at Dr. Joseph Ksicinski's home.

This list of names was sent to the Polish Falcons of America in Pittsburgh, PA. The Falcon founders then chose the name of Tadeusz Kosciuszko as patron of the Nest and given number 725.
The first officers were Joseph Karas, President; Boleslaus Orlikowski, Vice President; Joseph Sulkowski, Financial Secretary; John Misiak, Recording Secretary; Anthony Puszcz, Treasurer; and Vincent Meklemburg, Physical instructor.

On December 24, 1916, at a meeting it was voted to hire a hall and get started with the picture drills for the Field Meet of District XI, which was being held in the 1917 in Measha, Wisconsin. The Nest sent well-trained participants who won several awards for the Nest. Soon afterward, recruiting for the U.S. Army, and the Polish Army began, with several joining the U.S. Forces and nine enlisted in the Polish Army. Those remaining, supported the war effort at home.

In November, 1918, Dh. W. Meklemburg organized the girls Junior Falcons. On January 24, 1919, Nest 725 organized separate Falconettes Nest, it was given number 755. Mrs. Mary Jegier was the organizer. Also in 1919, a boys' Junior Falcons was organized and drilling teams were sent to the District XI rally in Racine, Wisconsin.

In 1920, when the boys returned from the Armed Forces, a celebration was held at which time 25 new members were signed to the Nest.

In 1921, a Field Meet of District XI was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the sponsorship of Nest 725 and Nest 755. Nest 755 won the district trophy for the most points and several individual awards for athletics.

The year 1922 was a busy one as Nests 725 and 755 sent participants to Chicago, IL to the National Field Meet of the Polish Falcons of America. The Junior girls were awarded a trophy for the best showing.
In 1922 the Nests organized a choir and a band which existed through the year 1925. But, due to a very high cost of upkeep it had to be discontinued. In 1927, the Falconettes' Nest 755 merged with Nest 725.
On November 22, Nest 725 celebrated it's 20th anniversary and at this time it was decided to buy a Falcon Home or as it was called then "Sokolnia". The Nest then began to raise funds for that purpose.

After looking around for a home that would serve the Falcons members, and after be suitable for the Sokolnia with a little remodeling. A special meeting was called and members gave officers full power to purchase the home. The officers at the time who purchased the home were: John Tarkowski, President; Agnes Grunwold, Vice President; Peter Ksicinski, Recording Secretary; Marie Tarkowski, Financial Secretary; and Josephine Wutkowski, Treasurer. Board members were: Roman Zareczny, Viola Zareczny and Genevieve Wojciechowski. The deal closed on April 30, 1940, and the home became a lively place for all Falcon members.

In 1941, four bowling teams were sent to the Polish Falcons National Bowling Tounament in Kennisgton, PA. They received the trophy for the highest total, and were also awarded the Ntional Bowling Tournmament in 1942.

In 1941, Nest 725 celebrated its Silver Jubilee and sponsored a membership drive at which time they signed 40 new members to the Nest.

In 1942, the Sistth annual National Bowling Tournament was held April 16-19, with some 1,000 participating. Nest 725 was the host. Bowlers of Nest 725 received several individual awards.

At this time, the Nest was gaining new members. Due to large membership, the Nest's quarters become too small. The officers realizing the importance of more spacious quarters, decided to look for a larger place. After several Nest meetings and findings of homes, the officers of Nest 725 were convinced that the property of Mr. Joseph Worzala at 801 E. Clarke St. and N. Fratney was most appropriate for the Nest quarters. It contained six bowling alleys and well equipped tavern with club rooms on the second floor, a three room cottage and a two car garage. The lot is 70 by 120.

President John Tarakowski came to an understanding with Mr. Worzala who gave very liberal conditions on purchasing the property. President Tarkowski called a special meeting on February 25, 1945 and at this meeting gave full details. After a lengthy discussion, Paul Fliss made a motion to accept the President's report and buy the property form Mr. Joseph Worzala. The President suggested that a committe be picked from members to investigate this matter. The committee was: Paul Fliss, Edward Kiedrowski, Roman Zareczny, Genevieve Wojciechowski and Clarence Justen. After an investigation by the committee, the President called a special meeting on April 27, 1945 and at this time the committee suggested to purchase the building from Mr. Joseph Worzala. The Nest members gave the officers full power to purchase the home on June 26, 1945, it became a reality that the home was purchased for Polish Falcons of America, Nest 725, Milwaukee Wisconsin. The officers at the time of purchase were: John Tarkowski, President; Casimira Szplett, Vice President; Joseph Straszewski, Vice-President; Joan Sberna, Recording Secretary; Marie Tarkowski, Financial Secretary; Harry Szplett, Treasurer; Dolores Tarkowski (Gliszczinski), Physical Instructor. The directors were: Paul Fliss, Edward Kiedrowski, Joseph Maliszewski, Roman Zareczny, Joseph Bojar, Viola Zareczny, Bernard Karbowski, Joseph Worzla and Lillian Lemar.

The dedication of the new Sokolnia was held March 2nd and 3rd, 1946. Mass was said in St. Casimir's Church at 10am with great numbers of organizations participating and including members of Nest 725. After Mass all participants returned to the Falcons Home and Monsegnior Rudolph Kielpinski blessed it. He was a real friend of the Falcons and was interested in youth movements, and was asking the youth of his parish to join the Polish Falcons Nest 725. In the year of 1946, a book was published, "We the Milwaukee Poles", in which the Nest purchased a full page and placed the history of Nest 725.

On November 4th, 1951, the Nest celebrated its 35th anniversary in the Sokolnia. Mass was said at 11:00am in St. Casimir's Church by Father Kujawa, chaplain of Nest 725. The members of various organizations and Falcons District 2, Chicago, IL., were feted after the Mass. A banquet was held in the evening at which the guest speaker was Dh. Tadeusz Buczkowski, Secretary of Polish Falcons of America, Pittsburgh, PA. At this time the Nest gave him $50 for dispatched Polish children in France.

In the year 1952, the 34th District Second Field Meet and Convention were held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin under the able sponsorship of Nest 725. Mass was in St. Casimir's Church and the picture drill exhibition in Pumping Station Park. An estimation of 5,000 viewers at 2:00pm saw a large number of participants in various dances and drills. Numerous organization took part in this event and made it a big success.
The first Track and Field Meet of District No. 2, Chicago, IL. was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin under the sponsorship of Nest 725.

The exhibition drills, under well qualified instructors, made a big impression on spectators from Milwaukee and its' Suburbs. It gave them a chance to see what goes on at the Sokolnia on gym nights.
Hundreds of Falcon youth passed through the threshold of Nest 725. The Nest spent about $25,000 for the Falcon Youth Program. The Falcons are active in the following sports, besides the gym classes for children: basketball, baseball and bowling.

The Nest takes active part in National and District 2 Field Meets and Conventions.
The nest 725 sponsored: Polish Falcon Days, Kosciuszko Meeting, Membership Drives, Mother's Day Programs, Christmas Parties for Children, Banquets and other fund raising functions for the Falcon Youth Program.

(reprinted from the PFA Nest 725 60th Anniversary Booklet, 1976)