<FORT STEWART, Ga. </B>- Fort Stewart-based Soldiers with the 6th Squadron, 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, paid tribute to the "Father of the American Cavalry" at Fort Pulaski, Oct. 9.
In a ceremony known as the Pulaski Jubilee, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers remembered Brig. Gen. "Count" Kazimierz Pulaski, a Polish-born, American Revolutionary War general of the Continental Army who was mortally wounded during the Siege of Savannah in 1779.
"Today, we gather at Fort Pulaski to recognize a man, Soldier, and a patriot who ultimately gave his life fighting for freedom in the fledgling democracy called America," said Lt. Col. Robert Reynolds, 6/8 Cav. commander, and guest speaker during the ceremony. "Count Pulaski began what was continued for over 230 years."
As the 6/8 Cav. Regt. stood in Pulaski's honor throughout the ceremony, Staff Sgt. James Shields, 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, sang the American, German and French national anthems while Savannah community members participated in a parade and hoisting of flags. Savannah State University's Chorus provided their own rendition of the U.S. National Anthem; Herbert Victor played the Jewish Schofar; Groves High School student, Anthony Scott recited an inspirational poem and David Crampton played 'America the Beautiful' on the bagpipe.
Concluding the Jubilee, 1/76 FA Soldiers rendered a 21-gun salute, followed by the U.S. Park Rangers' cannon salute.
Count Pulaski, after volunteering to the American cavalry, wrote to General George Washington, "I came here, where freedom is being defeated, to serve it, and to live or die for it."
Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds said his men carry Pulaski's spirit and follow in his footsteps.
"The mustangs are a light reconnaissance squadron; that is, an organization of scouts and infantry much like that of Pulaski's Legion," said Lt. Col. Reynolds. "While the uniforms and the equipment and organization have changed, one thing has not, and that's the spirit of the cavalry.
His legacy lives on in these troopers you see before you, volunteers, all sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. These men and women are ready and willing to fight, not for a person or an organization, but for the defense of the Constitution and the freedom it allows."
Social Sharing