Count Casimir Pulaski - Meriden, CT
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 31.885 W 072° 47.661
18T E 684006 N 4600101
A memorial to Casimir Pulaski is located on the green median strip on Broad Street in Meriden, CT
Waymark Code: WMG5D0
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 01/15/2013
Views: 4
Count Casimir Pulaski was born into a noble family on March 6, 1745 in Warsaw, Poland. After opposing the Russians in Europe he came to the American Colonies to join the Continental Army under the command of George Washington. As a Brigadier General, he organized a corps of lancers and light infantry that became known as the Pulaski Cavalry Legion, hence he is called the father of the American cavalry. He died of woulds sustained during the siege of Savannah on October 11, 1779. He is one of only seven persons to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.
A 68" by 29" by 3" bronze bas-relief sculpture, by Julius T. Gutzwa, of Count Casimir Pulaski is featured on a monument erected in Meriden in 1934. The sculpture is affixed to a light gray granite base that measures 89" by 87" by 67" which is topped with a sculpture of an eagle with it's wings outspread. A bronze medallion with the U.S. shield is on the right side and one with the Polish shield on the left side.
Count Pulaski is depicted standing while wearing his dress uniform complete long open coat, vest ruffled shirt and knee length boots. He has his right arm now by his side while holding his cap in his right hand. His left hand is resting on top of a sword. The tip of the sword touches the ground by his right foot.
Below the sculpture is an open book. The pages of the book are inscribed:
COUNT CASIMIR
PULASKI
"FATHER OF THE
AMERICAN CAVALRY"
BORN IN POLAND 1747.
CAME TO AMERICA 1777.
ENTERING AS A VOLUN-
TEER. DISTINGUISHED
HIMSELF AT BATTLE
OF BRANDYWINE. PRO-
MOTED TO THE RANK OF
BRIGADIER GENERAL
WAS MORTALLY WOUND-
DED IN THE SEIGE OF
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.
HE DIED 1779.
FREEDOM SHRIEKED
WHEN PULASKI DIED
On the reverse side is inscribed:
CASIMIR PULASKI
POLISH-AMERICAN
PATRIOT
AIDED THE COLONIES
IN THEIR FIGHT
FOR LIBERTY
DYING GLORIOUSLY
IN ACTION
Below is inscribed:
POLANIA MERIDEN