The US Military Academy celebrated their annual Kosciuszko Memorial Ceremony on Saturday, 27 April. This year’s participants included senior defense officials representing the United States, Lithuania, and Poland. A crowd of over 350 gathered on the windy overcast day at the Kosciuszko Monument to honor the Revolutionary War Officer who fortified West Point against British attack.
Three Allies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) joined together to honor a common hero, commemorate their current Alliance, and look to a common future. Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, a West Point graduate and the former Commanding General of US Army Europe, told the assembled audience that “Kosciuszko embodies the relationship between Poland, Lithuania, and the United States. He reminds us of America’s responsibility for leadership inside NATO; the most successful alliance in the history of the world!”
Major General Cezary Wiśniewski, the Polish Defence Attaché to the United States, recounted Kosciuszko’s distinguished service in the American War for Independence, even beyond his feats at West Point. The European officer distinguished himself throughout the entire War serving in Colonies in the North and the South. He noted that when Kosciuszko returned to the United States long after the War’s conclusion, he was welcomed by the citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a hero. This highlighted the true tradition of the annual Ceremony – continuing the American tradition of honoring a leader committed to the cause of freedom and liberty in the United States and in Europe.
Lithuanian Vice Minister of Defence Giedrimas Jeglinskas, a West Point graduate and former Lithuanian Army Officer, began his well received remarks by comparing the challenging times in which Kosciuszko lived to those of today. He applauded the leader for his “courage, vision, and impact”. He held up Kosciuszko as a “symbol of freedom” and emphasized that “freedom is the foundation of the three countries he devoted his life to – Poland, Lithuania, and the United States.”
The Vice Minister then proposed an innovative initiative to honor Kosciuszko and further strengthen the bonds between the gathered Allies. “Through the bolstered trilateral partnership, Poland, Lithuania, and the US can strengthen the transatlantic bond and, with that, enhance the West’s deterrent posture, to the benefit of all. The ‘PLUS’ Kosciuszko project could eventually evolve into a values-based and interests-assured regional strategy, which would encompass military and defense, economic and investments, energy and environment, education, and cultural initiatives.” Jeglinskas concluded by emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the 3 Allies and the broad international appeal of Kosciuszko, “Tadeusz Kosciusko’s legacy can inspire action and change the world for the benefit of freedom, partnerships, and the Alliance. And we should start with the ‘PLUS’ now.”
The three distinguished leaders then laid a wreath at the Kosciuszko Monument. They paid their respects to the hero of three nations as a salute volley was fired and a lone bugler played Taps.
The day before, on 26 April, the American Association of the Friends of Kosciuszko at West Point held their annual conference. This year’s theme was “Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of NATO”. The conference enjoyed its largest attendance ever, as speakers and participants from the United States, Poland, and Lithuania gathered at the Thayer Hotel on the grounds of the Academy.
“Our purpose is to honor the life and legacy of Kosciuszko”, said Stephen Olejasz, a retired US Army Officer and Vice President of the Association. The conference focused on the anniversary of NATO’s founding, as well as the 20th anniversary of Poland’s membership and the 15th anniversary of Lithuania’s joining of the Alliance.
Brigadier General Cindy Jebb, the Dean of the Academic Board, provided comments on behalf of the Academy. The opening panel featured a keynote address by General Hodges and remarks by Colonel Alvydas Siuparis, the Lithuanian Attaché to the US, and Colonel Paweł Marzęda, the Deputy Polish Attaché to the US. “We are honored to have our Allies join us to celebrate NATO”, added Olejasz, who is a West Point graduate and former Professor of History at the Academy. “We view NATO as a testament to Kosciuszko’s legacy.”
The first afternoon panel honored Lithuania’s accession to NATO membership. One presentation honored John Kronkaitis, the Lithuanian born US Army officer who returned to Lithuania after the reestablishment of independence to serve first in the Ministry of Defence and then as the Commander of the Armed Forces when they joined NATO. Another presentation honored Robert Barziloski, a Pennsylvania National Guard officer of Lithuanian decent, who served as the first US liaison officer in Vilnius. The second afternoon panel commemorated Poland’s anniversary of membership in the Alliance.
The Association conducted additional events in support of the Academy’s annual Kosciuszko Day. These included a conference dinner, a Mass at the Catholic Chapel, attendance at the Cadet Parade, and a post Ceremony luncheon. Next year’s Kosciuszko Memorial Events are scheduled for 24-25 April 2020.
Information by the American Association of the Friends of Kosciuszko at West Point
