 Q: How do I join?
A: First step is to send us an email at Palha Membership Questions or drop by at an event and speak to us in person.
Q: Do I have to be Polish or of Polish descent to join?
A: Nope. A sincere interest in WW2 Polish history, ability to physically portray a Polish soldier of WW2, and a desire to educate yourself and the public is what's most important. Q: You guys portray several different Polish units, do I have to portray all of them?? A: Nope. Some of us absolutely prefer only one and specialize in that one. Others decide to vary their impressions to several to illustrate the sheer scope of Polish involvement in the War. You can do one or all. It's your choice. However we do recommend starting with either the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade or the 10th Dragoons of the 1st Polish Armored Division. This is due to the fact that there will occasionally be events where uniformity is mandatory. In those instances, either of those units are portrayed. Q: Where can I get my uniform and equipment? A: Unfortunately, there is no "Polish Uniform Shop". Depending on your choice of impression, there are several sources for uniforms and equipment. Speak with us and we will steer you in the right direction. Please see out links page HERE for links to some of these vendors. Q: I'm interested in joining, or have just joined and I'm anxious to buy my uniform. Can I just get it now myself? A: NO. No no no. Speak with us first and we will guide you. There are fabulous reproduction uniforms and equipment out there, there are also wonderful originals. Conversely, there is also absolute junk that you would not be permitted to use or wear and that would be a huge waste of your hard-earned money. Q: Do I actually have to be able to speak Polish? A: Yes and no. Polish is a difficult language to master for a non-native speaker. You do not need to be fluent, but you will need to learn drill and commands in Polish. Learning any additional Polish words, phrases, songs etc is fully encouraged and appreciated. We have Poles in our ranks that can help you. If you speak Russian Slovak Czech or Ukrainian, learning Polish is immensely easier due to the similarity of those languages to Polish.
Q: How old do I have to be to join? A: You must be 18+ to field with us. By war's end, Poland fielded the fourth largest allied army behind the USSR, the USA, and Great Britain. They did not do that via able-bodied men between 18 and 40 alone. So involved and tragic was Poland's experience, that older men, women and even children took up arms. There are photos of Polish Home Army soldiers, runners and couriers that cannot be any older then 8 or 9. There are even pictures of Polish Boy Scouts under arms. Additionally, there were multitudes of support, medical and non-combat personnel both male and female that can be portrayed. So, that said, to officially join us and be able to take to the field of combat, you must be 18+, no exceptions. Depending on the non-combat event however and due to Poland's unique contribution, younger guests accurately outfitted are sometimes permitted. Q: What sort of events do you guys participate in? A: We participate in several different types. We've marched in parades, we've participated in Polish commemorative services, we've participated in actual battle reenactments and we also regularly participate in static living history events such as the WW2 Weekend Airshow in Reading Pa. Q: Do you ever get tired of Polish jokes?
A: We sport rifles, bayonets, grenades, mortars, anti-tank rocket launchers, machine guns and know how to use them...why, no..we do not ever get tired of Polish jokes..
|