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A Hero



Today is Casimir Pulaski Day and a bank holiday, a government holiday and a school holiday for many in Chicagoland.  I was thinking about Casimir today and wondering if I polled 10 adults about him if even one or two people would know how he contributed to our country.  This question made me wonder about school children as well.  Do they have any idea who Casimir Pulaski was?  Moreover, these questions made me wonder about my own family.  Do they know who he was and why we celebrate him?

Casimir Pulaski was born on March 4th or 6th, 1745.  He was a Polish nobleman and highly decorated military commander.  He fought against Russian domination in Poland but how did he come to be celebrated in the United States?

Every Sunday night, my family and I meet virtually on Google Hangout at 7:30 CST.  Regardless of where we are in the world, we take time to reconnect and see each other.  It is a highlight of each of my weekends.  For some reason, seeing my husband and sons is so much better than just texting, Snapchatting or even talking.  Last night I went into the Hangout session with a “pop quiz”.  Who was Casimir Pulaski?  I was impressed that everyone seemed to know a bit about him.  They all knew he was from Poland and they all knew he fought for the United States during the American Revolution but not surprisingly, my son Nick, who is an Armor Officer for the 3rd Calvary Division of the United States Army knew the one important detail I had always missed.  Casimir Pulaski is known as the Father of the American Calvary, a proud unit of the United States Army that still exists today.  In 1776, Casimir offered his service to help in our fight for independence and died as a result of war-related injuries after the Battle of Savanah.

Casimir Pulaski is the hero of two nations, both the United States and Poland and that certainly is a reason to celebrate.



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