30 December 2009
JVCOCC Honors Michael Polichuk as 2010 Veteran of the Year
Michael Polichuk
Michael was born in 1946, to Basil and Anna Polichuk in Tettnang, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. In 1948, the Polichuk family emigrated to Venezuela where Michael was raised and where he completed his primary education. His two sisters, Maria and Eva were born in Venezuela. In 1962, the Polichuk family was again on the move, this time immigrating to the United States of America and settling in Cleveland, Ohio.
Michael attended Lincoln High School, then Kent State University, from where he graduated in 1971 with a BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Area Studies. In July of 1971, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army for 3 years. He received basic training at Fort Knox, KY, advanced training at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, VA and was assigned to serve at the Missile Munitions and Command School at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL. He was discharged from the US Army in July 1974.
While in the service, Michael traveled to Venezuela and married his schoolmate Gladys. Michael and Gladys have three sons, Carlos, Andrew and Michael.
After his discharge, Michael worked for the Berlitz School of Languages for a short time. Later he ventured into the International Transportation field, where he is still employed. In 1991 he obtained his Federal Customshouse Brokers License, which permits him to transact imports on behalf of importers throughout the United States.
While holding a full time job and raising a family, Michael found time and dedication to serve on
Board of Elders at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church from 1982 to 2002
in the capacity of President, Treasure and Vice-President. He also found time to serve on the Board of Directors of Osnova Ukrainian Federal Credit Union from 1986 to 2006, first forming part of the Credit Committee and later as President, position he held for 11 years. He was very instrumental in
the building of the Holy Trinity Church complex in North Royalton and in the transition of Osnova
Ukrainian FCU to its current location on State Road in Parma.
Michael joined PLAV Roosevelt Post 58 in 1993. In 1999 he was elected Treasurer and re-elected in 2001 and later appointed to the position, which he still holds. He attends all meetings, post functions, coffee hour/escort services for disabled veterans at Brecksville Medical Center. In 2000, for the first time, Michael attended the PLAV National Convention in Tunica, Mississippi. In 2001 at the State Convention held in Fremont, Ohio, he was elected 2nd Vice-Commander of the Department of Ohio. In February 2002, he was honored as Roosevelt Post 58 “Man of the Year 2002”.
In August 2002, he was elevated to State Commander to complete the term of Ken Milenovic, upon his election as National 1st Vice-Commander. In June 2003, Michael was knighted in the “Order of Knights and Ladies of Pulaski” of Polonia Foundation of Ohio. At the State Convention in September 2003, in Hudson, OH, Michael was elected State Commander for the term 2003-2005.
As State Commander, Michael has shown leadership and has guided the Department of Ohio in an exemplary manner. In his capacity as State Commander he was a director of Polonia Foundation of Ohio. In 2004, the Department of Ohio honored Michael as “Veteran of the Year”.
During the biennial term 2005-2007, Michael served as co-Adjutant of the PLAV Department of Ohio. In 2006, at the PLAV National Convention in Tampa, FL, Michael was elected to the position of National 2nd Vice-Commander for the term 2006-2008. Then at the Ohio State Convention held in Chester, WV, Michael was elected as Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander for the term 2007-2009. While juggling these positions Michael found time to serve as National Editor of the PLAV News, official publication of the Polish Legion of American Veterans USA. He still finds time to participate at the coffee hour/escort service at Brecksville Medical Center assisting hospitalized veterans.
In 2008, while serving as Chairman of the PLAV National Pre-Convention Committee, Michael was
very instrumental in bringing The Honorable Robert Kupiecki, Polish Ambassador to the United States of America to be the main speaker at the PLAV National Convention held in Independence, Ohio.
Aside from his responsibilities in the PLAV, Michael participates in Memorial Day Ceremonies, Polish Constitution Day Festivities, Casimir Pulaski Memorial Commemoration, Veteran and Civic Ceremonies and numerous other activities in and outside of the Polish Community.
Currently Michael is serving as Chaplain in the JVCOCC Board of Officers, as Vice-President of Polonia Foundation of Ohio, Acting State Commander of PLAV Department of Ohio and Treasurer
of Roosevelt Post 58.
Michael is also member of the American Legion and the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 24.
Michael was born in 1946, to Basil and Anna Polichuk in Tettnang, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. In 1948, the Polichuk family emigrated to Venezuela where Michael was raised and where he completed his primary education. His two sisters, Maria and Eva were born in Venezuela. In 1962, the Polichuk family was again on the move, this time immigrating to the United States of America and settling in Cleveland, Ohio.
Michael attended Lincoln High School, then Kent State University, from where he graduated in 1971 with a BA degree in Spanish and Latin American Area Studies. In July of 1971, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army for 3 years. He received basic training at Fort Knox, KY, advanced training at the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, VA and was assigned to serve at the Missile Munitions and Command School at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL. He was discharged from the US Army in July 1974.
While in the service, Michael traveled to Venezuela and married his schoolmate Gladys. Michael and Gladys have three sons, Carlos, Andrew and Michael.
After his discharge, Michael worked for the Berlitz School of Languages for a short time. Later he ventured into the International Transportation field, where he is still employed. In 1991 he obtained his Federal Customshouse Brokers License, which permits him to transact imports on behalf of importers throughout the United States.
While holding a full time job and raising a family, Michael found time and dedication to serve on
Board of Elders at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church from 1982 to 2002
in the capacity of President, Treasure and Vice-President. He also found time to serve on the Board of Directors of Osnova Ukrainian Federal Credit Union from 1986 to 2006, first forming part of the Credit Committee and later as President, position he held for 11 years. He was very instrumental in
the building of the Holy Trinity Church complex in North Royalton and in the transition of Osnova
Ukrainian FCU to its current location on State Road in Parma.
Michael joined PLAV Roosevelt Post 58 in 1993. In 1999 he was elected Treasurer and re-elected in 2001 and later appointed to the position, which he still holds. He attends all meetings, post functions, coffee hour/escort services for disabled veterans at Brecksville Medical Center. In 2000, for the first time, Michael attended the PLAV National Convention in Tunica, Mississippi. In 2001 at the State Convention held in Fremont, Ohio, he was elected 2nd Vice-Commander of the Department of Ohio. In February 2002, he was honored as Roosevelt Post 58 “Man of the Year 2002”.
In August 2002, he was elevated to State Commander to complete the term of Ken Milenovic, upon his election as National 1st Vice-Commander. In June 2003, Michael was knighted in the “Order of Knights and Ladies of Pulaski” of Polonia Foundation of Ohio. At the State Convention in September 2003, in Hudson, OH, Michael was elected State Commander for the term 2003-2005.
As State Commander, Michael has shown leadership and has guided the Department of Ohio in an exemplary manner. In his capacity as State Commander he was a director of Polonia Foundation of Ohio. In 2004, the Department of Ohio honored Michael as “Veteran of the Year”.
During the biennial term 2005-2007, Michael served as co-Adjutant of the PLAV Department of Ohio. In 2006, at the PLAV National Convention in Tampa, FL, Michael was elected to the position of National 2nd Vice-Commander for the term 2006-2008. Then at the Ohio State Convention held in Chester, WV, Michael was elected as Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander for the term 2007-2009. While juggling these positions Michael found time to serve as National Editor of the PLAV News, official publication of the Polish Legion of American Veterans USA. He still finds time to participate at the coffee hour/escort service at Brecksville Medical Center assisting hospitalized veterans.
In 2008, while serving as Chairman of the PLAV National Pre-Convention Committee, Michael was
very instrumental in bringing The Honorable Robert Kupiecki, Polish Ambassador to the United States of America to be the main speaker at the PLAV National Convention held in Independence, Ohio.
Aside from his responsibilities in the PLAV, Michael participates in Memorial Day Ceremonies, Polish Constitution Day Festivities, Casimir Pulaski Memorial Commemoration, Veteran and Civic Ceremonies and numerous other activities in and outside of the Polish Community.
Currently Michael is serving as Chaplain in the JVCOCC Board of Officers, as Vice-President of Polonia Foundation of Ohio, Acting State Commander of PLAV Department of Ohio and Treasurer
of Roosevelt Post 58.
Michael is also member of the American Legion and the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 24.
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