March 7 , is Casimir Pulaski Day, a local holiday officially observed in Illinois, on the first Monday of March in memory of Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland as Kazimierz Pulaski.

One of the hidden gems, well concealed on an inconspicuous parking lot in Creve Coeur, MO, is a sculpture of Polish-American Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski. The sculpture is currently located at the site of Pulaski Bank’s former corporate headquarters at 12300 Olive Blvd. Founded in 1922 by a local group of Polish American citizens, Pulaski Bank ceased operations in 2016 following a merger with Busey Bank. 

 

The sculpture is a work of a renowned New York artist, Sacha Schnittman, who created a number of interesting sculptures in the St. Louis area including American Legion Founding Commemorative Monument at Eternal Flame Park downtown St Louis, several sculptures for “Guild” building in Clayton and “Force of Modern Architecture” which was stolen from the facade of Dorsa Lofts at 2675 Washington Avenue.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, Pulaski had a distinguished career fighting against Russian domination of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Pulaski was forced into exile in 1772. In Paris, he met Benjamin Franklin. Following Franklin’s recommendation, Pulaski arrived in North America in 1777. He distinguished himself throughout the American Revolutionary War, most notably by saving the life of George Washington during the Battle of Brandywine. Casimir Pulaski died in 1779 from wounds received during the Battle of Savannah. He is remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom in both Poland and the United States. Pulaski is one of only eight distinguished individuals ever to be awarded honorary citizenship of the United States.
Numerous places and events are named in Pulaski’s honor, and many works of art commemorate him.