General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2011

Proclamation 8736 of October 11, 2011

General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Today, America pays tribute to Brigadier General
Casimir Pulaski, a proud Polish patriot who embraced
our country's highest ideals. He fought for freedom on
two continents, earned the title, ``Father of the
American Cavalry,'' and guided his unit through some of
the toughest tests of the Revolutionary War, ultimately
laying down his life for our nascent country. On
General Pulaski Memorial Day, we honor his memory and
celebrate the many contributions Polish Americans have
made to America's culture and history.

As a young soldier, General Pulaski rose to defend his
homeland against foreign occupation. He fought
valiantly for Poland's sovereignty but was eventually
forced into exile, and it was in Paris that he met
Benjamin Franklin. Franklin told him of America's
aspirations, and Pulaski journeyed across the Atlantic
to join our struggle for freedom, equality, and
justice. Arriving in America in 1777, he served beside
General George Washington, who appreciated his military
experience. He later formed an independent corps of
cavalry known as the Pulaski Legion, which battled
bravely from the New Jersey coast to the siege of
Savannah, where he was mortally wounded.

Pulaski's unit was a diverse collection of soldiers,
composed of Americans, Germans, Frenchmen, Irishmen,
and Poles. Their differences were many, but they were
united by a basic longing for human liberty. This same
longing--which moved Pulaski to make the ultimate
sacrifice--has come to define America and reflect our
lasting ties to the people of Poland. Today, as we
commemorate Casimir Pulaski's extraordinary life, we
recognize that his spirit lives on in all those who are
driven to pursue a freer, more just world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2011, 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
Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.