Observances of the 211th Anniversary of the
 Constitution of May 3rd, 1791

Click an image to view a full-size picture.

Saturday, May 4, 2002 A Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Casimir Pulaski Monument in Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Ave. at 13th Street NW, Washington DC. President George W. Bush sent greetings to be read at the ceremony.

The US Armed Forces Color Guard, and the Color Guard of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Post 191, took part. Baritone Józef Surowiec led the assembly in singing the National Anthems and "Witaj Majowa Jutrzenko."

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland was represented by Minister Mirosław Sawicki, Counselor for Scientific and Academic Affairs, and Col. Andrzej Turek, Military Attache. Minister Sawicki gave an address about Gen. Casimir Pulaski.

The keynote address was delivered by Paul Sosnowski, Esq., Past President of the Division, who was gracious enough to travel from Philadelphia for this event. His speech drew parallels between the Polish Constitution of 1791 and the American one of 1789.

The wreath was laid by Minister Sawicki, Col. Turek, and Division President Thaddeus Mirecki.

The Division extends sincere thanks to:

• Director Delphine Banko for making all of the myriad arrangements for this event, with the U.S. Park Service, the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard, the Government of the District of Columbia, the florist, etc. etc.
• Vice President Sophie Miskiewicz Peters for arranging for the greetings from President Bush.