Honoring the past

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Seventeenth District Outreach Director Outreach Pat Lowry (left), reads a personalized letter from Congressman Tim Ryan during the wreath laying ceremony. George Brown, field representative, looks over the letter from Senator George Voinovich that he will read.

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Polish of Youngstown Director Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer (left) gives a synopsis of Gen. Kosciuszko's life and accomplishments. Heather Foust, dressed in Polish dancing apparel, holds balloons that will be released at the end of the ceremony. The monument entitled American Freedom Fighters shows Kosciuszko on the left with Brig. Gen. Casimir Pulaski to his side.

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .The Polish flag is held in honor of Gen. Kosciuszko's birthday on Feb. 4. This was a part of the wreath laying ceremony that took place at Peterson Park. From the left: Tim Sicafuse, Jim Scharville, Bob Lidle and Larry Warren

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .To coclude the wreath laying ceremony of Feb. 4, participants released balloons into the air. The balloon launch was done to symbolically dispurse Gen. Thaddeus Kosciuszko's legacey to all.

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Mary Kay Peiski (left), Kos«ciuszko Foundation president, presents Public Library Representative Deborah Liptak with copies of, "The Peasant Prince." The books are a biography of Gen. Kosciuszko and will be available at the Poland and Youngstown Libraries.

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Marianne Prooprik and Tom Antonishak prepare to lay the wreath in front of the American Freedom Fighters monument. Antonishak designed the Revolutionary War monument.