Stevens Point in Portage County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Portage County & the Polish Army

Photographed By Keith L, August 24, 2019

1. Portage County & the Polish Army Marker

Inscription. When World War I started in 1914, Poland was divided between the empires of Prussia, Austria, and Russia. In 1917, a Polish National Committee organized regiments of Polish-American men to fight under a Polish flag in Europe. Forty-eight recruiting centers were established in the U.S., including one in Portage County. Through efforts of Polish patriots, an "independent Polish state" was included in President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points speech to end the war in 1918.

Answering the Call
Nearly 300 men from Portage County, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan were recruited. The local effort was led by S.H. Worzalla, Joseph Worzalla, J.W. Przewlocki, and Jacob Woyak. The community embraced the cause of Polish nationalism with speeches, send-off dinners, and benefit dances.

Poland Reborn
After Armistice on November 11, 1918, the Polish Army men stayed on to establish borders for the newly reborn country of Poland. They fought in territorial wars against the bordering countries of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Silesia, and Galicia. When the army was demobilized in March 1920, troops either stayed in Poland or returned to America.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is

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included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 44° 31.399′ N, 89° 33.4′ W. Marker is in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in Portage County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 66) and Soo Marie Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stevens Point WI 54481, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Casimir Pulaski (a few steps from this marker); St. Stanislaus Church World War II Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Boy with the Leaking Boot (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Historic Southside Railroad Complex of Stevens Point (approx. one mile away); Engine 2713 Controls and Operation (approx. 1.1 miles away); WWI Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Stevens Point Women's Club (approx. 1.1 miles away); Veterans World War I Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stevens Point.

More about this marker. Captions:
• Jacob Mizera (left), uncle, and Stanislaw Mizera (right), father, of Gena (Mizera) Numsen of Stevens Point. Different units of the Polish Army had different uniforms depending on which front they were fighting on.
• Recruitment

Photographed By Keith L, August 24, 2019

2. Portage County & the Polish Army Marker

poster for the Polish Army in France, 1917.
• Michal Gasiorowski, Stevens Point; Wincenty Gasiorowski, Stevens Point; John Raflik, Stevens Point. John enlisted but died in an accident prior to departing for France.
• This sign donated by Rita Kurzinski, Marge Kelly, Paul & Sue Koehl, Gena (Mizera) Numsen, and Ray Raflik.
• Stevens Point Parks, Recreation, Forestry.

Photographed By Keith L, August 24, 2019

3. Portage County & the Polish Army Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2019, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2019, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.