[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62313-62314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24502]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 16, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62313]]


                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.

[[Page 62314]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-24502
Filed 10-15-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F4