For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 10, 2001
General Pulaski Memorial Day Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
I came here, where freedom is being defended,
to serve it, and to live and die for it.
General Casimir Pulaski in a letter
to General George Washington
Every year, on October 11, we honor the
memory of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a courageous soldier of
liberty who bravely gave his life 222 years ago fighting for America's
independence. The stories of General Pulaski's heroism
during the Revolutionary War have been a source of inspiration for many
generations of Americans, and his gallant sacrifice serves as a
poignant reminder of the price patriots paid to obtain our liberty.
Pulaski, who was born in Poland in 1745,
joined his first fight against tyranny and oppression at age 21,
defending his beloved Poland against Prussian and Imperial Russian
invaders. In numerous battles, Pulaski achieved fame as a
calvary officer, earning promotion to commander of an army of Polish
freedom fighters. But the aggressors ultimately overcame the
Poles, and Pulaski was forced into exile. In 1777, Pulaski
offered his services to America's fight for freedom and set sail from
France to join the war for independence.
Far from his native land, Pulaski showed
the same courageous combativeness on American soil that had gained him
fame at home. Distinguishing himself in battle after battle, Pulaski
earned a commission from the Continental Congress as a Brigadier
General, and he was assigned by General Washington to command the
Continental Army's calvary. In 1779, during the siege of
Savannah, General Pulaski made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life
in battle so that our Nation might win its freedom. General Pulaski's
valiant leadership earned him recognition as the "Father of the
American cavalry".
Ever since his heroic death, America has
honored General Pulaski's memory in many ways, including the naming of
counties, towns, and streets after him. Since 1910, a statue
of General Pulaski has stood in Washington, D.C., permanently
memorializing his patriotic contributions and noble
sacrifice. Today, as we respond to the atrocities committed
against the United States on September 11, we have been deeply moved by
the tremendous outpouring of sympathy, support, and solidarity from our
Polish friends, from the highest levels of the government to the
thousands of Poles who placed flowers and candles at our Embassy
gate. Our two nations, united by the virtues and ideals that
General Pulaski embodied, will always remain friends and allies.
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 Thursday, October 11, 2001, 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 the freedom of our great
Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand
this tenth
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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