Revolutionary War
Hero Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski
In September, 1929, Congress
designated October 11 as Pulaski Day to be observed by Presidential
Proclamation; it also authorized the Post Office to issue a Pulaski
commemorative stamp. In 1973 the Illinois Legislature passed and the
Governor signed a bill designating the first Monday of March as Pulaski
Commemorative day in Illinois. On March 3, 1986, Gov. James Thompson
signed a bill declaring the first Monday in March a State Holiday.
Presidential
Proclamation
October 11, 2004
General
Pulaski Memorial Day, 2004 by the President of the United States of
America a Proclamation
The story of Revolutionary War hero Brigadier
General Casimir Pulaski is one of bravery and sacrifice that helped to
secure America's blessings of liberty. We remember General Pulaski for
his skill in battle, his commitment to freedom, and his willingness to
give his life for America's independence.
Born in Poland in 1745, Casimir Pulaski first
gained distinction as a military hero while fighting to defend his
native Poland. His reputation as a bold warrior and his dedication to
the cause of liberty became known throughout Europe.
Pulaski met with Benjamin
Franklin in Paris in 1777 and agreed to join the Americans in their
fight for freedom. He quickly proved to be a gifted military leader and
was commissioned as a Brigadier General. He became known as "the
Father of the American Cavalry," recruiting and training a special
corps of American, Polish, Irish, French, and German troops who fought
with great skill and success. During the siege
of Savannah in 1779, General Pulaski was mortally wounded, leaving a
legacy of heroism that continues to inspire people around the world.
On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we honor a
noble patriot committed to the cause of freedom, and we recognize the
countless contributions Polish Americans have made to our Nation and our
culture. We also celebrate the strong friendship between the United
States and Poland, remembering our shared history and common values and
honoring the sacrifices of Polish troops who have served bravely
alongside American and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by
the Constitution and laws of
the United States, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2004, as General
Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all Americans to commemorate this
occasion with appropriate programs and activities paying tribute to
Casimir Pulaski and honoring all those who defend freedom.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand four,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred
and twenty-ninth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
Casimir Pulaski arrived in America on July 23
1777, and applied to the Congress for commission, requesting to be
placed under direct command of General
Washington. In September, he took temporary command of Washington's
Cavalry Detachment and saved military supplies by repulsing British
attack at Brandywine. Congress
commissioned Pulaski Brigadier General and gave him command of four
Light Calvary Regiments. He distinguished himself at the Battle
of Germantown.
In the winter of 1777-78 at Valley
Forge, he reorganized his Cavalry Corps and issued service
regulations for the Cavalry. In February, 1778, with Washington's
endorsement, he submitted his plan to Congress and the War Department
and with the authorization of Congress he formed the Independent Corps
(later to be known as the Pulaski Legion.) He fought several skirmishes
at Egg Harbor. Mortally wounded during the attack on British forces in
Savannah, Pulaski died aboard the American Brig Wasp.
