This story appeared in STRAZ on November 20, 2003

While a bagpiper played a marching tune, a colorful march made its way toward Monterey Square surprising those Savannah citizens who had not read the previous day's "Savannah Morning News" where the schedule of ceremonies for the October 10, 2003 Casimir Pulaski Commemoration had been presented in detail.

At the front of the procession were the two men who worked hardest to make the event a reality: Francis X. Hayes and Lee Meyer, the co-chairmen of the Savannah Pulaski Committee. With them was a riderless horse, empty boots inserted backwards into stirrups, to honor the fallen cavalryman. Following immediately behind was a uniformed honor guard consisting of the Sons of the American Revolution, Knights of Columbus officials, two functionaries from the Polish Embassy, representatives of various Savannah Churches and a replica of the original Pulaski Legion banner.

With the banner walked Debbie Majka President of the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) and Paul Bosse First Vice-President ACPC. With them was Jolanta Kessler Chojecka, a Polish film-maker who is gathering material to produce an hour-long documentary about Casimir Pulaski. Riding a short distance behind them was Peter Obst, a graduate student from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, mounted on "Duke" a horse loaned by Howard Snyder, a member of the armed forces. Peter was dressed in a blue and gold 18th century hussar's uniform, breeches and boots. A four-cornered "konfederatka" cap, sabre and spurs created an illusion that Pulaski had come to visit Savannah again.

Reaching the site of the battle where General Pulaski was struck down by grapeshot from British canon, Debbie Majka and Paul Bosse placed a memorial wreath from the ACPC, while the crowd observed a moment of silence. Then the procession continued down the palm lined street passing many of Savannah's antebellum manors and churches.

The US Army military band played as it turned into Monterey Square and the various units lined up on the square. After an introduction by Francis X. Hayes and a welcome by Lee Meyer, Bishop Francis X. Roque delivered a prayer and blest the replica Pulaski banner. This banner replica, a gift of the Pulaski Cadets from New Jersey, will be presented to the City of Savannah at ceremonies in 2004.

Following remarks delivered by the representative of the Polish embassy, Minister Counsellor Miroslaw Luczka and US Army commander Lt. Colonel Fowler the crowd joined in singing "God Bless America." Then after a moment of silence a rifle salute was fired. The various organizations including the ACPC, Polish American-Congress, Sons of the American Revolution and the city of Savannah placed wreaths at the monument. After a formal farewell, and an invitation to next year's ceremonies, the military band played the cavalry hymn "Gary Owen" and the crowd slowly dispersed, but not before taking advantage of photo opportunities at the monument with the city officials, military and foreign guests, and of course, General Pulaski.

At the evening banquet the Polish Embassy representative Captain Piotr Blazeus, Defense Attache, presented the parade organizers with an plaque that incorporated the three different types of eagles used as insignia by the Polish Army, Navy and Air Force. In his short address delivered in excellent American English he spoke of the symbolic importance that Casimir Pulaski had in Poland's negotiations for entry into NATO. Captain Blazeusz was a beneficiary of the Alliance for Peace program being among the first Polish exchange military cadets to graduate from the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.

In the absence of Dr. James Metts, the Chatham County Coroner and head of the Pulaski DNA Investigation Committee, Francis X. Hayes reported on the status of the DNA search. The search conducted in Poland by genealogist Dr. Andrzej Sikorski has yielded results in the form of living female relatives of Pulaski's grand-niece Teresa Witkowski. These women are descended from Pulaski's sister Joanna Walewska in a matrilineal (mother-daughter) manner. Therefore, their mitochondrial DNA should match Casimir Pulaski's. At this time their identities are being kept confidential while Dr. Sikorski arranges to obtain their consent for DNA testing. Up to now these women had no idea they were related to the Pulaski family.

An unexpected point in the banquet program was the celebration of Bishop Roque's 75th birthday, and the 50th anniversary of his priesthood. The Bishop was quite surprised at the appearance of a large cake on which burned candles which he was then obliged to blow out. As cake was being served those gathered sang Happy Birthday in English. Later, the Polish guests sang "Sto Lat," the traditional Polish birthday song for him.

The dinner, at which members of Savannah's Polonia were present, concluded with a prayer from Pastor Larry Broxton of the Christ Memorial Baptist Church in Savannah. All who attended from out-of-town felt that they had made new friends in Savannah because of the sincere hospitality of their hosts, and knew that they would make every effort to return in the following year. It is interesting to note that none of this would have come about had not Edward Pinkowski, an eminent Polish-American historian, now living in Florida, re-examined the "sea story" about Pulaski's burial, and located the true final resting place of Pulaski within the monument in Savannah's Monterey square. While he was not present at this year's ceremonies, we hope that he will attend the commemorative events planned for 2004, the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Savannah.

Now that the 2003 event is over, plans have already started for the year 2004 when, during the Columbus Day weekend, October 8-11, the grand military and religious re-burial of Casimir Pulaski will take place. To this end the city of Savannah will prepare a burial crypt in front of the Pulaski Monument.

The tentative plans are shaping up as follows. Even before October 8th, General Pulaski's remains, in a sealed wooden coffin carved and hand crafted in Poland, will rest in state on view at the Savannah Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

In the afternoon the casket will be placed on a horse-drawn caisson. Then after a field mass in Forsythe Park the funeral procession will proceed to Monterey Square, stopping at several churches along the line of march. Participating will be units of the Unites States Army; officers of the Marines, Navy and Air Force; Church dignitaries; representatives of the Polish and American governments; foreign guests; Polonia, patriotic, and civic organizations; city officials and citizens of Savannah. Then after the speeches, songs and invocations are concluded, it will be placed in the crypt and covered by an engraved marble slab.

A banquet, attended by all the visiting guests and dignitaries, will follow in the evening. More detailed information and any changes in the program, including precise times and dates, will be posted as they become available, on this website.

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Click on "thumbnails" to see full size pictures
from the Savannah, Georgia, Pulaski Commemoration (October 10, 2003).

1. Piper with Debbie Majka and Paul Bosse	2. General Pulaski mounted on "Duke"	3. The procession starts toward the battle site	4. Color Guard at readiness.
5. The Knights of Columbus march	6. American Council for Polish Culture contingent	7. The Color Guard marching in step	8. The US Army Military Band
9. Presentation of wreath at battle site	10. Bugler plays "Taps" at battle site	11. The US Army Military Band forms up	12. National anthems at the Pulaski Monument
13. Lee Meyer speaks to the assembly	14. Lt. Colonel Fowler instructs the troops	15. Knights of Columbus and Piper at attention	16. Troops assemble at the monument
17. Francis X. Hayes greets the crowd	18. A salute to the fallen at the monument	19. An old and a young veteran watch	20. Presentation of the banners
21. Blessing of the banners by Bishop Roque	22. Presentation of the wreath	23. The honor guard before firing salute	24. S. Paul Bosse, Miroslaw Luczka, Jolanta Kessler-Chojecka, Piotr Blazeus, Debbie Majka, and Peter Obst

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