What an outstanding country we live in. It’s always easy to focus on the current financial challenges facing our great state, but Pulaski Day is an ideal time to take a step back and remember the thanks we owe to a modest-sized group of revolutionary freedom fighters who eventually formed the United States of America.
The Founding Fathers held Casimir Pulaski in great esteem. Benjamin Franklin first met Pulaski in Paris and wrote a letter to George Washington describing the Polish opposition leader as “an officer renowned throughout Europe for the courage and bravery he displayed in defense of his country’s freedom.” Soon after, Pulaski came to Philadelphia in 1777 to join forces with Washington and his Continental Army.
In 1778 at George Washington’s request, Congress established the Cavalry and appointed Pulaski to be their leader. The expertise he taught to the revolutionary soldiers solidified him as the “Father of the American Cavalry.”
Later in a letter foreshadowing his own demise, Pulaski wrote to Washington, “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” In the end, Pulaski died in 1779 from injuries he received while leading a charge during the Battle of Savannah. He was only 34 years old.
General Pulaski’s contribution reminds me of the thousands of men and women from Illinois who have traveled to foreign lands to similarly fight for freedom. Hundreds have given their lives, many others have returned home injured. It seems an appropriate day to remember and appreciate them too.
Dan Rutherford was sworn-in as treasurer of Illinois on January 10, 2011