| WASHINGTON, D.C. – The extended and blended family of General Edward L. Rowny – spanning three generations – hailing from across the U.S., along with close friends, gathered here at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland on April 3, 2016 to celebrate the exceptional 99th birthday of General Rowny. Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf thoughtfully organized the special reception “for this great friend of Poland and Polish-America.”
In his welcoming remarks Ambassador Schnepf emphasized and expounded on General Rowny’s engagement concerning Poland and Polish American issues such as promoting Poland’s entry into NATO, strengthening Polish American relations, establishing the Paderewski Scholarship Fund to support young Polish musicians, and his leadership in the influential Polish American Advisory Council.
We heard that Edward L. Rowny had a very successful military career in the U.S. Army retiring in 1979 with the rank of Lieutenant General, serving in World War II, Korean and Viet Nam Wars. He was a military advisor to five U.S. presidential administrations: Nixon, Ford, Carter, Regan and Bush, Sr. In 1972 President Ronald Regan appointed Rowny with the rank of U.S. Ambassador to negotiate the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the USSR.
The singing of the traditional Polish birthday song Sto Lat (100 Years) was deferred in favor of Dwiescie Lat (200 Years) as suggested by Ambassador Schnepf, which the guests sang with gusto – with “Happy Birthday” thrown in for good measure. This, and all the evening’s activity was captured by a producer and film crew from Poland for a documentary concerning General Rowny.
A beautiful oil painting of the Polish Embassy Building was gifted to Rowny by Schnepf saying that “it is a special place for Poles and Polonia, and a place where General Rowny is a frequent and welcomed guest.” The General thanked the Ambassador for organizing such a pleasant celebration at the Polish Embassy on the occasion of his birthday, and underscored how much he values matters related to Poland, the country of his ancestors.
Rowny said that a crowning achievement occurred in 1992 when he fulfilled a fifty-year ambition to return the remains of Polish Premier Ignacy Jan Paderewski from Arlington National Cemetery to Poland – where Paderewski received the full pomp and circumstance of a state funeral. Paderewski was also a world-renowned concert pianist before taking up the mantle of a leading Polish patriot in the aftermath of World War I, leading a resurrected Poland after its being partitioned off the map of Europe for the past 123 years.
Ambassador Schnepf concluded his remarks by speaking “that even at the age of 99, General Rowny continues to be very active. General, I wish you another 100 years full of health. I hope you stay with us, because you are needed.”
Richard P. Poremski
Polish American Journal
Washington, DC Bureau
April 10, 2016
www.polamjournal.com
Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf opening the celebration |
Celebrants & DCM Maciej Pisarski - at left |
Family Gathers to Honor Patriarch. Pictured is General Edward Rowny and his wife Betty, both seated, surrounded by their extended family at the Embassy of Poland to celebrate his landmark 99th birthday at the invitation of Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf |
Gen. Rowny plays harmonica. Watch You Tube
Negotiations & harmonica. New York Times 1985
Gen. Rowny serenading the guests with his trusty harmonica |
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