Sunday, October 3, 1999
63. Annual Pulaski Day ParadePRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
As we close out this century with our last parade in the 1900s, let us reflect on the people who have made the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Polonia's largest manifestation. The original 38 lawyers who laid the foundation for the General Pulaski Memorial Committee from its inception at the first official meeting held at the Polish National Home (Polski Dom Narodowy) at 17 Saint Mark's Place in New York City on June 9, 1937. Let us relish the outstanding leadership displayed by our presidents who have brought our parade success, culture, beauty and pride. Hats off to Mr. John A. Pateracki, to Mr. Francis J. Wazeter, to Mr. Joseph E. Swierzbinski, to Mr. Henry F. Wazeter and to Mr. Adam J. Cieslik.
Allow us to recall in fond memory to contributions of our Grand Marshals, many of them with us today continuing to be a source of wisdom.
From 1937, the honorable Bernard A. Kozicke to 1999 the honorable Chester Lobrow, each unique, each a fountain of inspiration and always dedicated to making the Pulaski Day Parade the greatest event in the history of Polonia.
All of the scores of volunteers who have guided the parade up Fifth Avenue, helped put together our great banquet, assembled our journals, took care of the grandstands and reviewing stands, sold flags, pins and sashes, showed off our lovely Miss Polonias, made sure Breakfasts' were on time, parade orders were processed. So many people in a myriad of jobs, thank you, thank you, thank you.
This year, as we close out the twentieth century, we look forward as we celebrate man's achievements with astronauts Dr. Scott E. Parazynski, M.D. and Jim Pawelczyk, Ph.D. as honorary Grand Marshals. We salute Poland, who in ten short years has shown the world what democracy really means through its freedom loving people. We welcome the President of the Polish Senate, Prof. Alicja Grzeskowiak as Honorary Grand Marshal for the 1999 Pulaski Day Parade.
Yes, we are closing out 1999, but let me be the first to invite you to become part of the 2000 Pulaski Day Parade, by joining with us, by working with us, by helping make every parade better than the year before.
Thomas K. Wojslawowicz
President, General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee