Veterans Monument arrives at Poland's Peterson Park

YOUNGSTOWN – (June 21, 2011) PolishYoungstown, the Polish Army Veteran's Association of America District 9 and Town One Streetscapes are thrilled to invite you to join us at 11 am Saturday, June 25th for the dedication ceremony of the Polish Veterans Monument in Peterson Park Garden in the Village of Poland, Ohio.  

The ceremony will include an honor guard, playing of taps, singing of the American and Polish national anthems and the laying of a wreath by the monument by folk dancers in colorful costumes.  Guest speakers include John Brown, Retired Navy, National AMVETS Commander; Zygmunt Bierat, National Polish American Veterans Commander and Dr. Jan Napoleon Saykiewicz, Honorary Consul of the People’s Republic of Poland.  

The event will also launched has launch Town One Streetscapes memorial brick sale to aide in its effort to now make the park more accessible.  The lava rock that currently covers the park, although pretty, makes it inaccessible for seniors and others who might be physically challenged to visit and enjoy the park.

Also available at the event will be tabletop models of the Tom Antonishak’s Freedom fighters sculpture as well as a Cat’s Meow edition of the park with the monument included. This is the latest addition to the Polish sites around Youngstown collection.
 
The magnificent granite memorial is dedicated to Polish émigré veterans of World Wars I and II. It was erected at its location on South Avenue in 1970 by the Youngstown chapter of the Polish Army War Veterans of America. That group is now defunct and the former Polski Dom, known as Krakusy Hall, has been vacant for several years.  

To fully appreciate the sacrifices made to construct this monument and the sacrifices it stands for we felt we needed to find a new location that was not only relevant to the monument, but accessible to the general public. That goal was achieved with Peterson Park in Poland’s city center. The focal point of the peninsular park is a life-size sculpture portrays Gens. Casimir Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko—the two Polish generals for whom the village and township were named to honor. The statue is the only one depicting these two Revolutionary War patriots together.  

― We can think of no better home for this monument,‖ says Lisa Skomra Lotze, PolishYoungstown Monument chair.
― In this one location, that has already become a Polonia tourist stop, visitors can learn about the contributions of these Polish generals to the initial American fight for freedom and now, the sacrifices of Polish men and women during the World Wars, too.
― We’re happy that this striking monument has found a home worthy of its heritage,‖ says Larry Warren, Town One Streetscapes president, adding that the groups have been working with several veterans’ organizations to facilitate the move for nearly a year.
― The monument honors the courage of patriots and a patriot’s struggle to be free transcends national, cultural and territorial bounds.

For additional information, please call Lisa Skomra Lotze at: 330-881-1038
For additional photos of both monuments contact Tom Antonishak at geagle007@zoominternet.net
www.polishyoungstown.com
tel: 330-646-4082