Panie Komendancie, drodzy weterani, Wielebny Księże, Dostojni reprezentanci, Witam Państwa serdecznie.
Hrabia Kazimierz Pułaski, jako jeden z dowódców Konfederacji Barskiej walczył na Litwie, na Ukrainie, w Wielkopolsce i na Podlasiu. Po klęsce Konfederacji Barskiej, w Paryżu Pułaski spotkał Benjamina Franklina, delegata rządu Kongresu Kontynentalnego, którego poprosił o przyjęcie go do Armii Waszyngtona.
Krótko po przyjeździe, w 1777 roku, czekając na przydział, Pułaski pod Brandywine, z małym oddziałem, uwolnił Armię Waszyngtona z oblężenia przez oddziały brytyjskie. Mianowany generałem zorganizował Legion swego imienia.
Legion Pułaskiego otrzymał rozkaz wymarszu na południe. Dotarł do Charleston. Pułaski, ze swym Legionem, składający się z tylko osiemdziesięciu żołnierzy, zaskoczył armię angielską, która miała ponad dziewięćset żołnierzy, nieoczekiwanym napadem, który zakończył się wspaniałym zwycięstwem Legionu i jego wodza.
Po raz ostatni dowodził Pułaski Legionem w październiku 1779 roku, w bitwie o Savannah w Stanie Georgia.
Pułaski stał się symbolem walki o wolność dla dwóch narodów – Polski i Stanów Zjednoczonych. Trzynaście lat temu prezydent Obama podpisał wspólną rezolucję Kongresu Stanów Zjednoczonych ogłaszającą Kazimierza Pułaskiego honorowym obywatelem Stanów Zjednoczonych, jedną z zaledwie ośmiu osób, które kiedykolwiek otrzymały tak wielki zaszczyt.
As Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Michigan, I want to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to the City of Wyandotte, and especially to Post 95 of the Polish Army Veterans Association, for honoring a great freedom fighter and General of the U.S. Continental Army – General Kazimierz Pulaski.
After leading an unsuccessful revolt against the Russian Army, Pulaski was forced to flee Poland. He eventually came to Paris, where he met Benjamin Franklin, in 1776. Recognizing the value of Pulaski’s military experience, Franklin offered Pulaski an opportunity to fight for liberty with the Americans. Franklin wrote to George Washington, describing Pulaski as “an Officer famous throughout all of Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defense of the Liberties of his Country.”
Pulaski promptly left for the new United States, hoping to be made an officer. When Pulaski first arrived in America, he wrote to General George Washington offering his services. In his letter he wrote: “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” Washington recommended that Pulaski take command of the cavalry, but Congress did not agree to grant Pulaski a commission. Pulaski chose to follow Washington and the Continental Army anyway to seek an opportunity to prove himself.
That opportunity came at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. The British caught Washington in a precarious position with a clever flanking maneuver, and surrounded Washington and his troops. It appeared that the Americans might be routed and Washington captured, but Pulaski–possessing no rank–asked Washington to give him temporary command of some cavalry. Washington agreed and Pulaski skillfully led a counterattack, helping delay the British enough for the Continental Army to retreat and regroup.
Shortly after Brandywine, Pulaski’s wishes were granted when he was promoted to brigadier general. Pulaski raised a new regiment of cavalry, along with a few regiments of infantry, which came to be known as Pulaski’s Legion. Pulaski chose many of his officers and was able to train his legion as he saw fit. They rapidly became a dangerous force as Pulaski capitalized on his experience, creating America’s first effective cavalry.
Pulaski’s last engagement was during the Battle of Savannah on October 9, 1779. Notified of the American plans by an informant, the British were prepared for the attack. As the tide quickly turned against the Americans, Pulaski led an assault against the British position hoping to drive a wedge between the British troops to regain the advantage. He was wounded during the attack and he died some days later. The exact location, date, and time of his death remain unclear.
In 2009, President Obama signed a joint declaration of Congress proclaiming Kazimierz Pulaski an honorary citizen of the United States, one of only 8 people ever to be bestowed such an honor.
Thank you, Wyandotte, and a special thank you to Post 95 and all veterans, for remembering and reminding us that freedom cannot be taken for granted, but that we owe it to brave soldiers, like Pulaski, who sacrificed their lives for your freedom and ours.
Cześć bohaterowi,
Cześć Wam wierni weterani,
i Cześć Wam mili państwo!
Richard Walawender
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Michigan