General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2012

Proclamation 8887 of October 11, 2012

General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, a Polish-born
patriot gave his life to advance the cause of American
independence. As a leader in the Continental Army who
fought shoulder-to-shoulder with men from Europe and
America alike, Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski
battled to extend the principles that were as dear to
him as they are to us--liberty, equality, and justice
for all. Today, we reflect on the proud legacy he left
behind, and we celebrate the lasting ways Polish
Americans have enriched our Nation.

In his native Poland, Casimir Pulaski strove to secure
sovereignty for his country. Years of struggle came to
an end when his confederation was overpowered, leaving
him an exile to France. In Paris, General Pulaski met
Benjamin Franklin, who directed him toward another
fight for freedom taking place across the Atlantic.

When Franklin wrote to General George Washington to
recommend Casimir Pulaski as a volunteer in the
American cavalry, he noted that Pulaski ``was renowned
throughout Europe for the courage and bravery he
displayed in defense of his country's freedom.'' Though
the soil he fought for was not his own, the founding
ideals of our young Republic were ones General Pulaski
shared with all who saw freedom's promise. For his
heroic actions on battlefields that spanned from
Brandywine to Charleston, Casimir Pulaski was promoted
to the rank of Brigadier General and became known as
the ``Father of the American Cavalry.'' Tragically, he
did not live to see the success of the revolution he
gave so much to advance. Today, we see the future he
helped create: a free and independent United States
standing proudly with its strong ally, a free and
independent Poland.

On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we honor a hero who
helped secure our country's fate when it was most
fragile. As we recall his tremendous contributions, let
us also pay tribute to the countless Polish Americans
who followed his bold example. Generations have
contributed mightily to building the country we know
and love today, and they will continue to play an
important role in carrying us toward a more perfect
Union in the years to come.

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, 2012, 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 twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.