Introducing Casimir 2.0

American Revolutionary War Hero Casimir Pulaski (left) and reimagined Casimir 2.0 (right)

You probably have noticed a new “personality” on Pulaski County USA Tourism Bureau & Visitors Center Facebook and social media channels this year. “Casimir 2.0” made his debut January 4, 2019. As illustrated by the above side-by-side images you can see that Casimir 2.0 is modeled after Pulaski County, Missouri’s namesake Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski, more commonly known as Casimir Pulaski.

Casimir Pulaski was a Polish nobleman, soldier, freedom fighter, and is sometimes referred to as “the father of the American Cavalry.” Pulaski fought the Russians in his native Poland from 1770 until 1772. When that uprising failed, he was driven into exile.

Upon the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski immigrated to North America to fight against the British with the Americans for freedom. In his very first engagement with the British, at the Battle of Brandywine, Pulaski saved the life of George Washington. He became a general in the Continental Army and reformed the American cavalry.

Image via Wikipedia

Pulaski was mortally wounded while leading a daring and heroic charge against British forces at the Battle of Savannah and is buried at Monterey Square there.

Numerous cities, towns, parks, roadways, bridges, schools, and even a Masonic Lodge in Chicago are named after Pulaski in recognition of his devotion to the cause of freedom. Monuments and statues in Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin Ohio, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Michigan and Washington D.C. pay tribute to him. In addition to Pulaski County, Missouri he is also namesake to Pulaski County in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.

In 2009, 230 years after his death, Congress and President Obama proclaimed Pulaski an honorary United States citizen.

On November 11th, 2018 high school students in Wodzisław Śląski, celebrated Poland’s 100th anniversary of independence. Student Krysia Noga, who had connected with various Pulaski namesakes in the United States, including Pulaski County, Missouri gave a media presentation and short lecture about Casimir Pulaski from both the American and Polish points of view. Her decision to share Pulaski’s legacy with a new generation partially inspired our decision to bring him “back to life” and back into the minds of Pulaski County, Missouri’s residents and to those visiting our county through Casimir 2.0. We feel that if Pulaski were alive today, with the somberness of the United States war for independence more than 240 years in the past, that he would be a champion for his namesakes and would greet visitors with a smile and a wave.

Welcome to Pulaski County USA!

We hope that Casimir 2.0 brightens your day when he pops into your social media feed and that you think of the man who was willing to die for both his native country and his adopted homeland.

Pulaski County Tourism Bureau and Visitors Center will throw a birthday celebration for Casimir Pulaski Monday, March 4th, 2019 between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Executive Director Beth Wiles extends a cordial invitation to all Pulaski County officials, organizations, residents, and tourists to honor Pulaski at the Visitors Center (137 St. Robert Blvd, Saint Robert, MO.) by enjoying birthday cake, beverages, and socializing. Stay tuned for more event details!

“I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” -Casimir Pulaski

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