This Event Is Sponsored by Americans of Polish Descent (Amopod )

Pulaski Day -- Cavalry Awareness

March 4, 2002

Illinois has a holiday honoring Pulaski, and the Cavalry Awareness event seeks to connect the holiday with the hero. Casimir Pulaski was the founder of the first American cavalry, so at this event there are horses, representing the cavalry, and soldiers, representing the American struggle for Independence.

Children from the Bridgeport Boy’s and Girl’s Club get a “barn tour” with the Chicago Police Mounted Patrol Unit.

This event is sponsored by Americans of Polish Descent (Amopod™),

a not for profit corporation founded to promote and preserve

knowledge of Polish and Polish-American culture and history.

/ After viewing a short video about the life and the heroics of Casimir Pulaski, the kids get quizzed about what they’ve learned.
National Guardsmen Sergeant Mike Galvan and Sergeant Devorik Coleman ask the questions.
In the wake of Sept 11, America acknowledges
the contemporary
heroes of liberty.
Police Officer Sergeant Greco addresses the kids, explaining
“Why I wear a uniform.” /
/ A donation of books was given to the National Guard’s “First Choice” youth program. The topic of the book? Casimir Pulaski – of course! Also, 80 additional books were given to the Chicago Public Library.
Team-work Training Seminars
In the team-work training exercises, the assigned tasks can be accomplished only when all the participants work together, as a team. The children learn that team-work requires communication, planning, leadership, and mutual respect.
In the “toxic waste” exercise, a bucket is suspended in air from strings that must be kept uniformly taunt by all the individuals. The challenge is to maneuver the bucket and empty the contents into a receptacle without spilling any of the toxic waste (actually ping-pong balls.) / To walk in the “trolly” exercise, all five left feet must lift in unison, and then all five right feet, etc. This demands that the group work as a “crew,” choosing one person to be the coordinator and then responding to that person’s directions: “left”, “right”, “left”. The girls raced the boys, and the girls won.
In Today’s Army, the Hum-Vee Replaces the Horse.
/ Sergeant Coleman is the chauffeur for a ride in the armies “not-at-all-a-luxury-vehicle” HumVee. The rapid movement of troops, once the duty of horses, now is done with helicopters and with vehicles like this.
Police Officer
Sergeant Schafer.
Above – Sgt Schafer explains the
work that goes into caring for and
training the horses that serve with the Chicago Police Mounted Patrol Unit. /
Right – The children get
their chance to approach
the horses, and pet them.
The South Shore Cultural Center,
of the Chicago Park District

Photos by Americans of Polish Descent March 4, 2002

Alexander Danel (Amopod™) 773-725-6204 Page 4 of 4