General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2013

Proclamation 9038 of October 10, 2013

General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2013

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Today, we honor the memory of Brigadier General Casimir
Pulaski, the Polish-born hero of the American
Revolutionary War. General Pulaski's devotion to
liberty knew no boundaries, and his bravery on the
battlefield helped secure our independence. He
sacrificed his life in defense of our freedom, and each
year on October 11--the anniversary of his death--we
honor his sacrifice and service and reflect on the
contributions made by so many Polish-Americans
throughout our Nation's history.

A skilled cavalryman even as a youth, Casimir Pulaski
spent years defending his native Poland from foreign
domination. Unable to win Polish sovereignty, Pulaski
found a kindred cause in the fledgling American Nation.
Encouraged by Benjamin Franklin, he set sail across the
Atlantic in 1777 to join the Revolutionary forces. ``I
could not submit to stoop before the sovereigns of
Europe,'' he later wrote to Congress, ``So I came to
hazard all for the freedom of America.''

Casimir Pulaski quickly distinguished himself at the
Battle of Brandywine, where his courageous charge
covered General George Washington's retreat, saving
Washington's life. The Continental Congress promoted
him to Brigadier General, and for his command on
horseback, he became known as the ``Father of the
American Cavalry.'' Pulaski went on to form an
independent cavalry legion, comprised of men from
across Europe and America. While leading this unit,
General Pulaski was mortally wounded. He did not live
to see the Revolution's end, but he died with hope that
our Nation would be free.

On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we celebrate the
rights and freedoms Pulaski fought for, and we honor
the generations of Polish-Americans who have
contributed to our society and defended our Nation
since its founding. We also reflect on the steadfast,
enduring friendship between the United States and
Poland, which have long shared the ideals of freedom
and democracy. Through this alliance, and our proud
Polish heritage, Casimir Pulaski's legacy lives on.

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, 2013, 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
tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.