Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 197 / Wednesday, October 13, 2010 / Presidential Documents 63037 

Proclamation 8582 of October 8, 2010 

General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

From before our Nation’s founding until today, daring individuals have 

fought to defend America with unwavering devotion. Casimir Pulaski was 

a Polish patriot, yet he laid down his life in defense of American independence during the Revolutionary War. Each year, on October 11, Americans 

pause to remember this champion of liberty who fought valiantly for the 

freedom of Poland and the United States, and we proudly reflect upon 

our rich Polish-American heritage. 

As a young man, Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski witnessed the occupation 

of Poland by foreign troops and fought for his homeland’s freedom, determined to resist subjugation. During his subsequent exile to France, he learned 

of our nascent struggle for independence, and volunteered his service to 

our cause. Pulaski arrived in America in 1777 and served in the American 

Cavalry under the command of General George Washington. Valued for 

his vast military experience, General Pulaski led colonists on horseback 

with admirable skill, earning a reputation as the ‘‘father of American Cavalry.’’ 

Pulaski was mortally wounded during the siege of Savannah, and he died 

from his wounds on October 11, 1779. 

General Pulaski’s legacy survives in a long line of proud Polish Americans, 

who have arrived on our shores seeking freedom and opportunity and have 

served in our Armed Forces to defend our Nation. Polish Americans have 

carried with them values and traditions that have shaped our society, and 

their immeasurable contributions have strengthened our country. This proud 

community has been integral to our success as a Nation, and will play 

a prominent leadership role in the years ahead. 

General Pulaski wrote to our first President, ‘‘I came here, where freedom 

is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.’’ We have never 

forgotten his sacrifice for our independence or his patriotism in defending 

freedom across two continents. Today, the people of the United States and 

Poland are bound by our solemn obligations to each other’s security and 

our shared values, including a deep and abiding commitment to liberty, 

democracy, and human rights. On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we celebrate the early beginnings of our strong friendship, our lasting ties to the 

people of Poland, and our enduring commitment to a safer, freer, and more 

prosperous world. 

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 Monday, October 

11, 2010, 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. 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with FRD1
63038 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 197 / Wednesday, October 13, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–25968 

Filed 10–12–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with FRD1OB#1.EPS</GPH>