October 2009

The Wallington Pułaski Memorial Association held a commemoration service and laying of flowers at the monument to Gen. Casimir Pułaski on Main Avenue in Wallington, New Jersey on Saturday, October 3rd at 5pm. Father Gregory offered the invocation.

Father offered the following as his prayer:

Take thy banner! and if e’er
Thou shouldst press the soldier’s bier,
And the muffled drum should beat
To the tread of mournful feet,
Then this crimson flag shall be
Martial cloak and shroud for thee!”
The warrior took that banner proud,
And it was his martial cloak and shroud!

From The Hymn of the Moravian Nuns of Bethlehem at the Consecration of PuÅ‚aski’s Banner by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

O God, Creator and Supreme Ruler of mankind, Who implanted in the people of the Polish Nation a love of their Fatherland, native language, and national ideals, and most particularly the ideal of freedom, we remember before you today General Casimir Pułaski who strongly believed in and fought for freedom, not only for his native Country, but for our United States in the struggle for independence.

Fighting bravely to preserve Poland’s freedom, General PuÅ‚aski lost his brother and father in war. In spite of this tragic loss, General PuÅ‚aski wrote to General Washington, “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” He offered his life in the cause of freedom. Therefore, Father, we commend to Your boundless goodness his soul and the souls of all who continue to defend freedom with their lives. Grant that we too may learn to pursue the path of duty, consecration, and sacrifice which General PuÅ‚aski, our forefathers, and our brothers and sisters have trod. We ask all this through Your Son, Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Casimir Pułaski, the oldest son of Count Joseph Pułaski, was born in March, 1748. At the age of fifteen, he joined his father and other members of the Polish nobility in opposing the Russian and Prussian interference of Polish political affairs. Cast an outlaw by Russia for his actions on behalf of Polish liberty, he traveled to Paris where he met Benjamin Franklin. Franklin persuaded him to support the colonies against England in the American Revolution.

PuÅ‚aski, impressed with the ideals of a new nation struggling to be free, volunteered his services. Franklin wrote to George Washington describing the young Pole as an officer, renowned throughout Europe for the courage and bravery he displayed in defense of his country’s freedom.

In 1777, PuÅ‚aski arrived in Philadelphia where he met General Washington, Commander-in -Chief of the Continental Army. Later at Brandywine, he came to the aid of Washington’s forces and distinguished himself as a brilliant military tactician. For his efforts, Congress appointed him Brigadier-General in charge of Four Horse Brigades. Then again, at the battles of Germantown and Valley Forge, PuÅ‚aski’s knowledge of warfare assisted Washington and his men.

Later in 1778, through Washington’s intervention, Congress approved the establishment of the Cavalry and put PuÅ‚aski at its head. The Father of the American Cavalry demanded much of his men and trained them in tested cavalry tactics. He used his own personal finances, when money from Congress was scarce, in order to assure his forces of the finest equipment and personal safety.

PuÅ‚aski and his legion were then ordered to defend Little Egg Harbor in New Jersey and Minisink on the Delaware and then south to Charleston, South Carolina. It was at the battle of Savannah in 1779 that General PuÅ‚aski, riding forth into battle on his horse, fell to the ground mortally wounded by the blast of cannon. It is said, the General’s enemies were so impressed with his courage, that they spared his life and permitted him to be carried from the battlefield. However, two days later, on October 11 Pulaski died.

Today all over the United States there are memorials for Casimir Pułaski. Many parks, streets, statues, and schools bear his name in memory of his courage and commitment to freedom.