As a Polish American I have grown up with a keen awareness of Thaddeus Kosciuszko as both a hero in Poland and a hero in the United States as well.  Kosciuszko was a General and leader of the Uprising against Russia which was named for him in 1794.  He ran into Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin in August of 1776 and they persuaded him to come to the New World to help the Colonies fight for their independence.  Congress named him a Colonel in the Continental Army and after reading the Declaration of Independence asked to meet Thomas Jefferson.  The two became very close friends as a result.

There is a high Polish population, like myself, in the United States and as a result there is a large number of statues, memorials and bridges honoring Kosciuszko.  I remember passing the Kosciuszko Monument often back home in Milwaukee when we were visiting my grandparents or going to St. Josephat’s for Christmas Mass.  I was just back home on a recent trip to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary and after attending church in the old neighborhood I decided to visit the Kosciuszko Monument.  There is a strong effort to collect money to restore the monument to its former glory (http://www.rkmmilwaukee.org/index.php).

Kosciuszko Statue, Milwaukee WI

There is a statue to honor Thaddeus Kosciuszko in Washington DC as well.  It is located in the Northeast Corner of Lafayette Square; Kosciuszko is very near the White House and almost looks like he is standing guard there as his gaze is away from the park.  The Colonel stands high on a pedestal surrounded by depictions of his contribution to the war for Independence.

The statue was made possible by the Polish National Alliance and was designed and sculpted Antoni Popiel and it was dedicated on the anniversary of Poland’s Independence on May 11, 1910.  These statues are not only a fitting testament to the contribution of Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko to the efforts of American Independence but a part of my Polish heritage and all the Poles in the world.

Thaddeus Kosciuszko Statue, Lafayette Square, Washington DC