WASHINGTON, D.C. Orders of Merit Awarded. Three Maryland residents were formally recognized here on August 26, 2009 at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. Pictured above, starting left, is Ryszard Okreglak wearing the neck-ribboned Commander's Cross, with Bozena Buda and Carla Tomaszewski both pinned with the Knight's Cross. Ambassador Robert Kupiecki (right) personally bestowed the honors after the reading of the three individually detailed proclamations officially issued by the Honorable Lech Kaczynski, President of Poland. 

Bozena Buda, Ryszard Okreglak and Carla Tomaszewski

Okreglak was cited for his most notable accomplishments with the Polish Library in Washington; Buda for her tireless efforts and successes on behalf of the Polish Boy/Girl Scouts; Tomaszewski for her continuous promotion of Polish culture through her multifaceted and recognized artwork.

All three awardees separately addressed the noontime gathering of family and friends. Each spoke enthusiastically of Poland and Polonia in many different respects. They all ended by thanking Ambassador Kupiecki, President Kaczynski, and the people of Poland for the bestowing of the esteemed Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland upon their person on this day. A champagne toast and petite luncheon capped the auspicious event.

Text and Photographs by Richard P. Poremski, contact him at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The article was published originally in Polish-AmericanJournal, September 8, 2009