Although Zbigniew Brzezinski has been the household name on both sides of the Atlantic of famous Polish American strategists, another lesser known but equally key Polish American player in military and diplomatic circles was Ambassador Edward Rowny who passed away this week at the ripe old age of 100. Ambassador Rowny attended Brzezinski's funeral last spring according to the NY Times.
He was a highly decorated WWII combat veteran rising to the rank of three star general in the US Army. He was a military adviser to five American presidents most notably the Reagan administration during nuclear arms treaties with the Soviets. And history teaches us which side prevailed thanks to great Polish American men like Ambassador Rowny.
Born in the US in 1917 his Polish parents and grandparents instilled in him a great love for Poland which he remained committed to throughout his long and productive life.
Most notably in 1992 (by then aged 75) Ambassador Rowny was instrumental in having the remains of Polish pianist, composer, politician, statesman, and former Prime Minister Ignacy Jan Paderewski returned to Poland from the United States.
In 2004 he established the Paderewski Scholarship Fund for Polish students to study in America.
He remained very active in Polonia organizations until the end of his life.
In the spring of 2017 Poland's ambassador in Washington DC threw a birthday party for him.
General Edward Rowny's 100th Birthday Jubilee
On April 3, General Rowny turned 100 years old. To mark this occasion Ambassador Piotr Wilczek organized a birthday celebration at his residence. In addition to the General's family and friends, among those in attendance were Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Co-Chair of the Congressional Poland Caucus.
Source: washington.mfa.gov.pl/en/news/general_edward_rowny_s_100th_birthday_jubilee_?channel=www
Ambassador Rowny's obituary was carried in America's main stream media like the Washington Post and of course Poland's media which made pointed references to his Polish heritage and active involvement in Polish interests in America.
Lt. Gen. Edward L. Rowny, hard-line arms control adviser to five presidents, dies at 100
Source: washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/lt-gen-edward-l-rowny-hard-line-arms-control-adviser-to-five-presidents-dies-at-100/2017/12/18/52df060c-e45c-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.f2f55339eb66
Zmarł generał Edward Rowny, wybitny amerykański strateg polskiego pochodzenia
Source: polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1963936,Zmarl-general-Edward-Rowny-wybitny-amerykanski-strateg-polskiego-pochodzenia
Doradca prezydentów, który "pomógł wygrać zimną wojnę". Nie żyje generał Edward Rowny
Source: tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-ze-swiata,2/nie-zyje-general-edward-rowny,799769.html
What an inspirational Polish American fully deserving of admiration. A true credit to Poland and Polonia.
Brawo!
He was a highly decorated WWII combat veteran rising to the rank of three star general in the US Army. He was a military adviser to five American presidents most notably the Reagan administration during nuclear arms treaties with the Soviets. And history teaches us which side prevailed thanks to great Polish American men like Ambassador Rowny.
Born in the US in 1917 his Polish parents and grandparents instilled in him a great love for Poland which he remained committed to throughout his long and productive life.
Most notably in 1992 (by then aged 75) Ambassador Rowny was instrumental in having the remains of Polish pianist, composer, politician, statesman, and former Prime Minister Ignacy Jan Paderewski returned to Poland from the United States.
In 2004 he established the Paderewski Scholarship Fund for Polish students to study in America.
He remained very active in Polonia organizations until the end of his life.
In the spring of 2017 Poland's ambassador in Washington DC threw a birthday party for him.
General Edward Rowny's 100th Birthday Jubilee
On April 3, General Rowny turned 100 years old. To mark this occasion Ambassador Piotr Wilczek organized a birthday celebration at his residence. In addition to the General's family and friends, among those in attendance were Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Co-Chair of the Congressional Poland Caucus.
Source: washington.mfa.gov.pl/en/news/general_edward_rowny_s_100th_birthday_jubilee_?channel=www
Ambassador Rowny's obituary was carried in America's main stream media like the Washington Post and of course Poland's media which made pointed references to his Polish heritage and active involvement in Polish interests in America.
Lt. Gen. Edward L. Rowny, hard-line arms control adviser to five presidents, dies at 100
Source: washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/lt-gen-edward-l-rowny-hard-line-arms-control-adviser-to-five-presidents-dies-at-100/2017/12/18/52df060c-e45c-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.f2f55339eb66
Zmarł generał Edward Rowny, wybitny amerykański strateg polskiego pochodzenia
Source: polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/1963936,Zmarl-general-Edward-Rowny-wybitny-amerykanski-strateg-polskiego-pochodzenia
Doradca prezydentów, który "pomógł wygrać zimną wojnę". Nie żyje generał Edward Rowny
Source: tvn24.pl/wiadomosci-ze-swiata,2/nie-zyje-general-edward-rowny,799769.html
What an inspirational Polish American fully deserving of admiration. A true credit to Poland and Polonia.
Brawo!