General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2001

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Part VI

The President

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Proclamation 7484--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2001

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7484 of October 10, 2001

General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2001

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.

(Presidential Sig.)B