(Left) Circa 1780: Polish patriot, statesman, and general Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746–1817) served with the colonial forces during the American Revolution. (MPI/Getty Images) (Right) Circa 1775: Polish soldier and military commander Casimir Pulaski (1745–79). Kean Collection/Getty Images
As a sixth grader some 60 years ago, I learned that two Polish heroes played prominent roles in the struggle to secure American independence from Great Britain—Casimir Pulaski and Thaddeus Kosciuszko. What they did for America left a deep impression on me and began a lifelong appreciation for Poland and things Polish.
Lawrence W. Reed
Author
Lawrence Reed is president emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education in Atlanta and the author of “Real Heroes: Inspiring True Stories of Courage, Character, and Conviction“ and the best-seller “Was Jesus a Socialist?”
