General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1997

Proclamation 7036 of October 9, 1997

General Pulaski Memorial Day, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In times of peace and at moments of great crisis,
America has been blessed with the steadfast support of
friends from other nations. Few have proved their
friendship with more courage and generosity than
Casimir Pulaski, who paid for America's independence
with his own life.

As a son of Poland, Pulaski knew well the desire for
freedom and self-determination. He fought bravely
beside his father and brothers in his native land,
defending Poland from the aggression of neighboring
empires with such skill and valor that he was known
throughout Europe for his military exploits. Ultimately
outnumbered by opposing forces, he escaped to France,
where he met Benjamin Franklin and offered his services
in behalf of the American Revolution.

Upon his arrival in America, Pulaski told General
Washington that he had come to defend liberty and ``to
live or die for her.'' True to his word, he fought
valiantly as a brigadier general in our Continental
Army and made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation's
freedom during the siege of Savannah.

More than two centuries later, Americans and Poles
alike remember with pride and gratitude the outstanding
service General Pulaski gave to both his native and
adopted lands. Today the United States and Poland enjoy
freedom, prosperity, and the prospect for a bright
future as allies in NATO, thanks to the unwavering
commitment of patriots and heroes like Casimir Pulaski.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 Saturday, October 11, 1997,
as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all
Americans to commemorate this occasion with appropriate
programs and activities paying tribute to Casimir
Pulaski and his contributions to the cause of American
freedom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-second.