Edward Borowski

Mr. Edward J. Borowski served in the United States Navy during World War II and is the honoree of Senator John J. Flanagan based on the nomination of his son Paul E. Borowski. Mr. Borowski joined the United States Navy in 1942 following his service in the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.s) during his teenage years in Idaho. During his service in World War II, Mr. Borowski served aboard the U.S.S. Battleship Texas as a Storekeeper 2nd Class ("SK2") from November 27, 1942 to October 4, 1945. It was during his time of honorable service that Mr. Borowski was awarded numerous medals including the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal. Following his service to the country, Mr. Borowski began an active and proud association with numerous organizations. Beginning in Jamaica, Queens after the war, where he served as the Commander of the Catholic War Veterans and was involved in the Polish Legion American Veterans #5, he has been dedicated to helping his fellow veterans on the homefront. When he moved to Hauppauge in 1966, Mr. Borowski continued to take part in local veteran’s organizations and was Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #5796 in 1980 located in Kings Park. He proudly keeps in contact with the surviving members of the U.S.S. Battleship Texas by visiting the ship and attending reunions. In addition, Mr. Borowski has also dedicated his time by serving as the VFW Service Officer for over 10 years. In this position, he presented citations to numerous young men across Suffolk County who achieved Eagle Scout status to recognize their achievements. He also volunteered as a Boy Scout Fingerprinting Merit Badge Counselor and was the Advisor of Explorer Post 1776 which was responsible for maintaining the Richard "Bull" Smith Historical Trail in Smithtown and Brookhaven started in 1975. Presently he serves as President of The Rose Borowski Memorial Scholarship Foundation, an annual scholarship given to a graduating Hauppauge High School Senior for exhibiting excellent qualities in community service, scholastic achievement and Scouting. And today, over 60 years after leaving active service, he volunteers twice a week at the Long Island Veteran's Home in Stony Brook. This is a labor of love that Mr. Borowski has been doing for the past fifteen years to give back to his fellow veterans. At age 87, Mr. Borowski is a proud veteran who displays the United States flag around his front yard to honor the country he so proudly served. As his son Paul noted in his nomination: “I am proud to call Edward J. Borowski my father. He clearly exemplifies the word ‘patriotism’ to his granddaughter, who is a student of Hauppauge Public Schools, his family, our community and his country.” Senator Flanagan is proud to acknowledge his service to his country in both times of war and peace.