Mr. Ambassador and honored guests, on behalf of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, GEN Hugh Shelton, thank you for
the privilege of making a few remarks today as we celebrate the continuation of a great friendship-a friendship between two nations forged in the same fire-the fire of freedom that burns brightly to this day-with the common bond of a courageous man, with a pure heart, and a passion for liberty, Thaddeus Kosciuszko. This is a great honor for me, for I am the grandson of Polish born immigrants and a West Point graduate whose military education was built on the granite foundations erected by Kosciuszko himself.
I am struck by the symbolism West Point provides us on this occasion-Kosciuszko provided the foundation for the Academy just as he toiled for the foundation of American liberty. Kosciuszko's Monument, erected by the West Point Cadets themselves, still stands majestically guarding the Plain, where the cadets pass in review. And just across from the parade field, on display, are the broken links of the massive 60 ton chain Kosciuszko strategically placed across the Hudson River to prevent the British from moving troops and supplies into New England. What better symbol is there of the broken chains of oppression and tyranny from which Poland has finally been freed.
I had the tremendous honor to accompany President Clinton to the Madrid Summit this past July, at which the 16 NATO members issued a formal invitation to Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic to join the free world's preeminent military Alliance-an Alliance that stands for all those things Kosciuszko so valiantly fought for all his life. From Madrid, we flew to Warsaw to celebrate the NATO announcement with the Poles. After President Clinton's speech to the Polish people, I took the opportunity to stroll the streets of Old Warsaw, in my uniform. I shall never forget it. Dozens of Poles stopped me, shook my hand, even hugged me, just to say thank you to America. As one woman told me, Poland owes its freedom to the United States. It is only fitting that on this day, we thank the Polish people for sending us their native son, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, to lead our inexperienced Army into mortal combat, to inspire Washington and Jefferson as they formed a democracy unlike any other in history, and to leave a legacy that speaks to justice and the dignity of man that remains our common ideal to this day.
But we have even more to thank the Polish people for. Our nation is now engaged in an effort to ensure Iraq's compliance with UN Security Council resolutions. We have been marshaling the support of other nations in this just cause, and Poland's response was swift and sure. Their pledge of 50 military vehicles and a chemical decontamination company of over 200 soldiers carried enormous weight in the Iraqi standoff, both militarily and diplomatically.
When I visited Bosnia with Secretary of State Albright in June, our US forces commander sang the praises of Poland's 670 man elite Airborne Battalion. I can assure you, this is not a mere token representation. The Polish battalion is one of the largest non-NATO contingents serving in this war weary country. In fact, Poland has been a regional leader in working to promote stability in Central and Eastern Europe. It has been building a Polish-Ukrainian Battalion, will participate in a Polish-German-Danish Corps, and is forging close ties with neighboring Lithuania in order to form a joint Peacekeeping battalion. Poland was the first European country to host a NATO Partnership for Peace Exercise-an exercise that brought German troops to Polish soil for the first time since World War Two-a true demonstration of Poland's embrace of a broader strategy to build an undivided, democratic, and peaceful Europe. Finally, No other country in the world, not the United States, not Canada, not any European nation, has more troops deployed to Peacekeeping missions around the world than Poland. What a remarkable accomplishment. At the Pentagon, and at NATO headquarters in Brussels, we are well aware of the strength that Poland's 200,000 man army will bring to the Alliance. We have read the polling data showing that 80% of the Polish people support NATO membership. Those of us in uniform are well satisfied that Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic will make NATO stronger, America safer, and Europe more stable and united. So, we will remember: When the United States asked Poland to join us in the Persian Gulf, they did not hesitate. When we asked them to put their soldiers in harm's way in Bosnia, they did not hesitate. When the call went out for troops to fulfill the onerous task of peacekeeping, they did not hesitate.
Earlier today, I spoke at the wreath laying in honor of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, at his monument in Lafayette Park. I as struck then by the fact that in spring of 1999, the heads of state of NATO's 16 members will meet for the Washington Summit, at which time it is anticipated that Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic will be formally welcomed into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. I find it comforting and fitting that this momentous summit will take place under the watchful eye of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, whose statue stands just across the street from the White House where these leaders will meet.
With a spirit imbued by Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the Polish people have shown the world that they could survive as a stateless nation-that they could preserve their identity in the face of cruel and relentless oppression, and still hold dear to the values of liberty and freedom that Kosciuszko implanted in his native land. I am thrilled that the prospect of NATO membership serves to magnify the spirit of Kosciuszko. I anxiously await 1999.
On behalf of all of all the Armed Forces of the United States, thank you and God bless.