[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9038--OCT. 10, 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.



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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.
BARACK OBAMA