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* This tragedy is just unreal…
Members of the Illinois National Guard who fought alongside Polish forces in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered with Gov. Pat Quinn at Chicago’s Polish Consulate this morning to pay their respects to the eastern European country still reeling from a weekend plane crash that killed the president and some of the nation’s highest military and civilian leaders.
“It has been rough,” said Lt. Colonel Matthew Voyles of the Illinois National Guard, who served with one of the generals who died in Saturday’s crash. (Separately, Mayor Richard Daley expressed his condolences to the family of Polish President Lech Kaczynski.) […]
“Our hearts are heavy,” said Quinn, who said that he had visited Poland twice. “The people of Poland know firsthand how precious democracy and freedom and liberty are. They have struggled under oppression for many centuries, resisted the fascism of the Nazis. They resisted the Communists. They resisted all of those who would take away the right of the people to speak.”
* I’ve struggled to come up with a way to deal with this here. Illinois has so many Polish immigrants and they’ve been such an important part of our history that this unspeakable event demands something be done. But what? Maybe that should be the question: What should Illinois’ response be?
Keep it serious, people.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 1:30 pm
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Nothing else. Illinois is not the federal government — let Obama’s people handle diplomatic/foreign affairs. Quinn visiting the consulate is enough. Our elected officials have enough on their plate.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 1:42 pm
the proper thing to do would be to send an illinois segment along with president obama to the state funeral. gov. quinn, and others (including da mayor and local polish dignitaries) should go…
Comment by bored now Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 1:43 pm
The Chicago area has many strong Polish organizations. As you probably know, it is said that we have the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw.
Quinn should ask the leaders in the Polish community what Illinois can and should do.
Comment by been there Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 1:44 pm
There was a continuous line of people outside the consulate all weekend.
I’m with been there. Poland takes Chicago seriously. It doesn’t hold elections in Chicago for commemorative purposes.
Comment by Brennan Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 1:47 pm
Not sure what the response should be, but we should keep the Polish nation in our thoughts.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 1:57 pm
I believe there’s a Polish Museum in Chicago. Why not a nice bronze statue or painting of the Pres and wife?
Comment by Fan of Cap Fax Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:00 pm
The ILNG is tasked with a Mil-to-Mil partnership; they’re sending the appropriate senior officer staff to the official events. This is an appropriate response.
Comment by Doorkicker Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:05 pm
It is my belief that at the time of any tragedy it is often the small, sincere, personal touches, rather than the grand gesture, that means the most. Recognizing that several of my many Chicago area friends of Polish extraction are students of history and take great pride in their cultural heritage, (including sharing great Polish recipes) I have called them merely to say I am thinking about them especially at this time. This has prompted them to share somewhat complex feelings about Poland and Russia and America and they seem to be appreciative of being remembered. I have also just written a short note that I plan to leave for my Polish hairdresser when I see her on Thursday. She is a recently naturalized American citizen who talks about her family in Poland all the time and I can only imagine how upset she must be about the plane crash.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:07 pm
There was a moment of silence at the Fire game on Saturday, and a lot of Polish flags.
Comment by LawDude Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:07 pm
A statue or monument dedicated to the Polish people / leaders would be a fitting memorial to the nation, the people and the influence they have held on the history of northeastern Illinois. A simple dedication of some part of this monument to the many Polish people who have given their lives for their nation, people and democracy would be a terrific statement.
Comment by A.B, Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:08 pm
My grandparents are buried near the Katyn Memorial at St. Adelbert’s in Niles. (The sculptor of this memorial died in the plane crash.) The deep wound that Katyn created has been ripped open for Poles around the world.
Poland has been among our strongest allies ever since it won its independence (both in 1918 and 1989)and its people have great admiration for the US.
Those of us who live in the Chicago area can show our solidarity (pun intended) with the Polish people at this time by attending the Constitution Day Parade downtown on May 1.
Comment by Adam Smith Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:10 pm
How about the local newspapers print a one page Polish flag which everyone could rip out and tape up on their office windows or the back passenger window of their car on the day of the funeral. It would show that the community of Chicago mourns for Poland’s loss at the individual level, not just a big show for politicians.
Comment by Velma D. Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:17 pm
All the options for action seem small in comparison to the enormity of the loss. I do think it would be appropriate for Illinois & Chicago to send a small delegation if there is a state funeral or other event. In addition to the Mayor, someone from the Governor’s office and a few others (perhaps the Col. mentioned above, perhaps some others with connections to the deceased)
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:30 pm
Warsaw is one of Chicago’s sister cities. Chicago ought to send a delegation to any kind of memorial service held there.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 2:41 pm
Did the president of Poland have a favored charity? Donation to it might be approprate. what would his children want? after all they lost both parents.
Comment by really? Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 3:03 pm
Attend the Polish Film Festival which takes places every fall in Chicago. I’ve seen a lot of good Polish films in the three years I’ve attended, including the one (Katyn) on the Katyn massacre.
A good way to learn about Polish culture.
Comment by cassandra Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 3:15 pm
Change Kasmir Polaski day to Polish-American Day and prepare teacher/student guide material and material for newspapers and webpages to publish and to be used in school to highlight our unique connection.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 3:45 pm
We don’t have the funds to do anything costly.
But sending some officials to the memorial would be appropriate.
Comment by titan Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 3:48 pm
Fly the Polish National Flag at the State Capitol Building and other State Buildings at half mast.
Then take the Flag flown at the State Capitol Building and send it to the Polish Government with our condolences.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 3:57 pm
Rename Balboa Drive to Katyn Drive or Kaczynski Drive.
Comment by phocion Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 4:12 pm
I think folks in Illinois are responding on their own. This weekend, Polish flags were flying from cars and homes all over the western suburbs.
Quinn did the right thing, and Obama’s going to Warsaw. That’s the right thing to do.
You talk about your freedoms and liberties, these are the folks who stood down the Commies face to face.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 4:29 pm
What word said.
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 4:47 pm
There doesn’t have to be a grand response. Obama going is sufficient for all Americans.
In addition, it should be noted that it was one of Illinois’ own - Cong. & Ald. Roman Pucinski - who was the Chief Investigator for a Congressional subcommittee in the early 50s that uncovered the Soviet culpability for the Katyn forest massacre.
Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 9:19 pm
Without sounding a bit hard hearted, a donation of a modern Boeing aircraft (737,757 (no longer built new, so the.) and 767 would be both a gesture of respect and immediately be available to support the executive travel needs and recovery activities of the nation. Air Force TW0 or Air Pelosi would make fine contributions.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Apr 13, 10 @ 11:56 pm