The Friday Fling Celebrates American Freedom on Pulaski and Columbus Days!
Friday Fling #201 October 12th 2012
Today is Columbus Day, at least the official original one before legislatures began fiddling with it for convenience sake.
As you may know, Columbus Day has taken something of a hit in recent decades due to allegations by some Hispanic immigrants from Central and South America that Columbus opened the way for total exploitation and destruction of the Americas by Europeans.
We’ve always maintained that because the USA would never have been here if it was not for Columbus & Co., among many many others who came later, Columbus Day remains an important positive milestone. We’ve celebrated it here in the past with challenges, most recently a year ago.
But we recently became more aware of another historical figure, another immigrant if you will, who is credited with significant contributions to the founding of the US of A. He came from Poland in the late 1700s, and his name was Casimir Pulaski. Here’s part of his Wikipedia entry:
Casimir Pulaski, or Kazimierz Pulaski … full name Kazimierz Michal Waclaw Wiktor Pulaski; March 6, 1745 – October 11, 1779) was a Polish nobleman, soldier and military commander who has been called “the father of American cavalry”. Despite his fame, until recently, there have been uncertainties and controversies surrounding both his place of birth and burial.
Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against Russian domination of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. When this uprising failed, he emigrated to North America as a soldier of fortune, following the endorsement of Benjamin Franklin. During the American Revolutionary War, he saved the life of George Washington and became a general in the Continental Army. He created the Pulaski Cavalry Legion and reformed the American cavalry. He died of wounds suffered in the Battle of Savannah.
He has been remembered as a hero fighting for independence and freedom both in Poland and in the United States. Numerous places and events are named in his honor, and he is commemorated by many works of art. Pulaski is one of only seven people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.
Pulaski Day, as decreed by Congress in 1929, is October 11th. As do others, my town is having a Pulaski Day parade for him. Perhaps they consider it more “politically correct” than having a traditional Columbus Day parade. And in my area Polish-Americans far outnumber Italian-Americans
So this year we thought we’d do something a bit different. While not intending to reduce the importance of Columbus one iota, we thought we’d celebrate Pulaski Day on this week’s Fling. Pulaski came to this country to find the freedom his own country lacked at the time. So our theme will be to celebrate Pulaski Day be writing about freedom.
And what better format to celebrate freedom with than – freestyle.
This week the Friday Fling celebrates freedom freestyle!
Be sure to save time to read and comment freely on your fellow Pals’ perorations. Then you are free to go enjoy the unofficial Columbus Day-Pulaski Day weekend!
Fickle Finger of Fate Award for October 5th 2012
Congratulations Bettie!
1931 US stamp issue commemorating Pulaski’s death
Death of Pulaski at Savannah October 11th 1779 (at 31)
Welcome everyone to the Friday Fling’s Pulaski and Columbus Day celebrations of freedom! Anything goes as far as format, but Casimir Pulaski in the American Revolution particularly and/or American liberty more generally are the main recommended themes! Here’s the link to the Wikipedia entry for Pulaski, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_Pulaski
with more information than we included in the introduction abovwe. Feel free to read and let any of it inspire your muse! Or just let loose on the meaning of American liberty to which Pulaski was dedicated and for which he gave his relatively short life two hundred thirty-three years ago!
ODE TO CASIMIR
on the 239th anniversary of his death
Born of a people of great strength and skills,
bent to the bidding of neighbors’ hard wills.
Fighting to restore lost liberty’s promise,
while co-conspirators’ ignored all grimace.
Odds against sovereignty soon forced to flee.
Transplanted to grow with new Liberty tree.
Saved its prime leader to complete the deed
He would not rest until colonists freed.
Southern campaign was the bloodiest fight,
but he raged on against tyranny’s might.
Cut down before final victory came,
his great contributions fanned liberty’s flame.
Copyright October 11th 2012 RGD
Unfortunately I did not do that great in history It was past but, as I became older I realized how valuable the past is and appreciated it So, I am trying as I write this 😯 :groovy: 😉 :love:
Honor Freedom
As an honor it is freedom
No matter how hard we have to fight to be free
No matter where we are or what country be
Sad have to fight for to keep thee
Freedom and independence should be granted to all freely
A heck of a price as lives taken from ones that disagree
A cruel life while on knees no guarantee of what is to be nor how long to see
Just have to believe and hope pray peace will be as ones foresee
Generations after generation share live as blessings glee
Woo Hoo Sis Friday Fling Award
CASIMIR PULASKI DAY
State holiday city holiday
Observed
Like
Most holiday are
We dont know bout
Yet they be
Still a holidays to most
This one
On the first Monday
Every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski Day
March 6, 1745[ first dated now October 11, 1779
We celebrate this
Revolution icon
The holiday is celebrated mainly in areas that have large Polish populations such as Chicago
General Pulaski Memorial Day
I know nuttin bout
But as Bob says
We kin do
Free style
And this is just that
A little bit bout holidays that are not on our calendars
There are many many holidays
We dont know bout
So we dont cerebrate them
But are they are there
And we dont know
Written By: Bettie Davis ————————— © October 11 , 2o12
Here below is the song sang of Casimir Pulaski Day
Casimir Pulaski Day
Goldenrod and the 4H stone
The things I brought you when I found out
You had cancer of the bone
Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his car into the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry
In the morning, through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulderblade
I could see what you were reading
All the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth
Tuesday night at the Bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens
I remember at Michael’s house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse
In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared
All the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you
Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I found the card where you wrote it out
With the pictures of you mother
On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom
In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window
In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March, on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing
All the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications when I see His face
In the morning in the window
All the glory when He took our place
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face
And He takes and He takes and He takes
Well, this is about a different kind of freedom than you are looking for, but nevertheless about freedom! 😉 :love: :love:
~
I can’t even begin to believe that another year has gone by. Seems like we just celebrated Columbus Day . . . . whew! Congratulations to Bettie. Will ponder the theme and try to return with something. Greetings and Happy Friday from Southern California! Wonderful theme and challenge. :love: :love: :love:
Polish Freedom
Poland is our friend, staunch and sure.
Freedom’s love and poverty brought her dispossessed
to this shore.
A fragile history haunted by war,
no need to cry for her anymore.
Noble ideals defined Pulaski the émigré.
Freedoms suppressed, he chose not to stay.
His example to other seekers showed hope the way.
A people aspiring to a better day.
Modern-day Poland is our Nato friend.
Her yoke of serfdom was brought to an end.
Stable in central Europe, with borders secure,
the good Polish people need weep no more.
T. 10-12-12
Archived image unavailable
FREEDOM THANKFUL
As this new day begins
to unfold and unwind,
I’m thankful and blessed
by family and friends,
by so much I enjoy
during these precious
few hours given to me
each day.
I’m thankful again
for the freedom I have
to do what I want
and to take whatever path,
made possible by those
who have given so much
and continue to sacrifice
for the independence
I enjoy today.
So I sing a song of freedom
shared upon this day
and celebrate with pride
our independence
here to stay
with thanks to all
who sacrifice so much
and selflessly
for me,
for us,
for everyone
so we can all be free.
(c) barbara kausteklis 10-12-12