BLAINE, Minn. – At a ceremony held on May 13, 2013 Sheriff James Stuart presented an “Honorary Deputy Sheriff” award to long time Anoka County resident, Stan Kowalski. Stan Kowalski has a long history of service to his nation, and his community. The event was well attended, including some of Stan’s family, many friends as well as several elected officials and members of the Minnesota National Guard. Stan’s biography is as follows:
Stan is a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard submarines in the Pacific Theatre. He was awarded the Bronze Star for military action in 1943.
Following World War II, Stan attended college at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism.
An excellent athlete, following college Stan began a career in professional wrestling winning 19 major titles during his 26 years in the ring. He was also elected to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
As a veteran, Stan joined Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Fridley Post # 363, where he served as Post Commander for two terms. He also served as the VFW’s District Commander and went on to become Minnesota’s VFW State Commander.
In 2011, he was honored by the National VFW organization as the first VFW member in thirty years to receive their Triple Crown Award for having an All-American VFW Post, All-American VFW District and All-American State VFW organization during his leadership. As an active veteran leader and volunteer, he has performed many veteran and veteran family assistance projects and served on many commissions and committees dealing with veteran issues on the local, state and national level. He has spoken at hundreds of events, which promote public awareness of the sacrifices made by military veterans and their families for all Americans as well as American patriotism. He is a Life Member of the VFW and also a member of a number of other veterans organizations including the Minnesota Submariner Veterans and Fridley American Legion Post # 303.
In addition to his volunteer work for veterans, Stan has been instrumental in helping the Twin Cities United Way raise funds, which support hundreds of programs through United Way partner agencies in the metropolitan area. Stan has served as a volunteer speaker and fundraiser for the United Way since 1961. As a part of the United Way’s annual fundraising effort, he has provided over 15,000 speeches during his tenure of 51 years as a volunteer speaker for the United Way. He is responsible for assisting the United Way in raising millions of dollars for United Way partner agency programs in the Greater Twin Cities area. In recognition of Stan’s effort and success in raising funds on their behalf, the United Way has established the Stan Kowalski Orator of the Year award presented to the most productive United Way fundraising volunteer speaker each year.
Stan has actively participated in other volunteer and community service activities including:
• Police Officer, City of Fridley
• National Committee member for POW-MIA Foundation
• An 18 year member of the school board for Spring Lake Park I.S.D. # 16 and was selected as Outstanding State School Board Member in 1992
• Past Member of the State School Board Association
• Past Member of the Minnesota State High School League
• Past Board Member of Big Brothers – Big Sisters
• Co-Founder and organizer of Patriot’s Day – Honor The Heroes patriotic recognition program which began in 2002 which honors active and retired military personnel and their families as well as firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel who keep our Nation secure and its communities safe
• Elected to the City of Fridley Hall of Fame
• Elected to the University of Minnesota Wall of Fame for Distinguished Outstanding Community Service By An Alumni
Sheriff Stuart said, “Our mission is to protect & serve the community in a manner that preserves the public trust. Stan has embraced these principles for decades and we are proud to have him join our ranks.”
