HELEN and HENRY RACKOWSKI

From the time Henry and Helen Rackowski came to the Washington, D.C. area, they have always participated in the programs and activities of the Washington Polonia. Henry was born in Rockville, CT, outside of Hartford and came to Washington, D.C. in 1940 as an engineer for the Department of the Army. He served in the Army of the United States during World War II. Helen Filipczyk Rackowski was born in Coupon, PA. Shortly after her birth, Helen’s family moved to Edwardsville, PA, just outside of Wilkes-Barre, where Helen lived until she married. It was on a visit to see her sister in Washington, D.C. that Helen met Henry at a tea sponsored by PNA Lodge 848 for “Women in the Polish Army.” On June 26, 1948, Henry and Helen were married at St. Hedwig’s Church in Edwardsville, PA.

After the war Henry returned to work for the Department of the Army. Henry continued with the Defense Department until his retirement in 1978. Henry and Helen are the parents of seven children -- five sons, Henry, Thomas, James, Jerome and Justin and two daughters, Constance and Antonette. Helen dedicated these years to raising their family. Today Henry and Helen are blessed with six married children, 13 grandchildren and one single son.

Henry became a member of the Polish National Alliance in 1936 while living in Connecticut and transferred to PNA Lodge 848 of Washington, D.C. in 1940. Helen became a member in 1948 shortly after their marriage. At this time PNA Lodge 848 was the only Polish American organization in the Washington, D.C. area. With the support of many members, including Henry and Helen, the organization sponsored programs which kept alive Polish heritage in the Washington area.

In the 1970’s, new organizations were established in the Washington, D.C. area. Henry and Helen, through their membership in the Polish National Alliance, participated in the organizational meetings of the Washington Division Polish American Congress and the Polish Catholic Pastoral Mission in Silver Spring which is now Our Lady Queen of Poland and St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish.

In 1978 Henry became President of Polish National Alliance Lodge 848 and continued to serve as President for the next 20 years. Together with his wife Helen, who also served as an officer of the Lodge during these years, Henry and Helen committed their efforts to the Polish National Alliance and supported many programs sponsored by Washington area Polish American organizations.. In 1997 Henry and Helen were instrumental in having PNA Lodge 848 become a founding trustee of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C.

Henry and Helen Rackowski still continue to be active in the programs and activities of the Washington Polonia. Their endeavors throughout the years show the love and respect they have always had for their Polish heritage and for their many friends in the National Capital Area.

In sincere appreciation, we wish you, Helen and Henry, the traditional
STO LAT!