There is poetry to the sight of an eagle in flight.  Our hearts are filled with an outpouring of freedom, beauty, and strength as we are blessed to watch this magical bird on display.  Conversely, the thought of such a magnificent creature in a cage or chains breaks our heart and tears at our soul.  We can easily place ourselves in the eyes of the eagle, from the weight of the chains to the ecstasy of flight.  Our heart soars with the eagle.

Perhaps that can help to explain why one man has dedicated so much of his time and energy to secure a symbol that will forever allow others to see and feel the unleashed beauty and joy of our beloved eagle.  Gene Bak was in fact just one of a proud generation of Poles who represent that caged eagle.  Their heroic story covers brutal imprisonment, a long and treacherous journey, acceptance into a county who respects their own eagle as a shared symbol of independence, and ultimate freedom.    

When I first heard Mr. Bak describe what he hoped to project from this statue, I immediately recognized the challenge to capture so much raw emotion from a static statue of two eagles representing two distinct countries.  Then when I heard him describe the sculpture, I couldn’t help but notice how his blue eyes sparked with the depth of the brightest sky where our eagles soar.  And now that I have seen the image, I am in awe of its simplistic beauty and raw power.  It’s as if these two eagles are moving with the lightness of air and the power of wind.  We are now the proud home of an enduring statue that speaks beyond words, touches the hearts of so many, and lifts the souls of all who understand the meaning of endurance and sacrifice. 

To bring even greater significance to this historic moment, our statue represents the final work of Master Andrzej Pitynski, who was world renowned for his Polish patriotic statues all around the world.  Gene worked closely with Mr. Pitynski to create a lasting image that symbolizes everything that he hoped to convey, and together they accomplished their mission beyond what any of us could have ever imagined. Finally, to bring yet further significance, the statue was completed just in time for the November 11 Independence Day celebration, where the statue was shown publicly for the first time in a moving program directed by Agnieszka Bienek.        

A little more patience is required before our statue will be permanently erected on its perch in our beautiful outdoor Cultural garden. But rest assured.  This beautiful statue will be forever enjoyed and recognized by Poles, Americans, and anyone who believes in the words, “For our freedom and yours.”