Jerzy was a peace loving person and he saw the ugly side of Communism when he had an assignment in northern Poland in the city of Bartoszyce. From then on he was an opponent of the system and spoke out against oppression. Since his first Holy Communion, John wore a scapular medal proclaiming his devotion to the Blessed Mother. A sergeant inquired as to what he had on his neck. Jerzy told him and the sergeant demanded that he remove it but John refused. Defeated, the sergeant said, get out of here immediately, John. Jerzy stood out in the rain for a few hours because of the incident, but his scapular was still around his neck.