Other Holidays & Special Events

General Casimir Pulaski Junior High School

General Casimir Pulaski: A biographical sketch

Pictures from Pulaski Day Parades in Chester

PULASKI DAY PARADE 1955-1977, CHESTER P A

The memorial tribute paid annually to General Casimir Pulaski is a feature of most Polish Communities in the United States , the country for which he laid down his life.

American citizens of Polish heritage of Delaware County decided after years of participating in Philadelphia , Pa and Wilmington , Delaware Polish organizations, decided to organize a parade in Chester .

The early parades centered around the Memorial Park in the west end and the Pulaski Park on Caldwell Street . As the parade grew in size and stature the decision was made to move the parade route though not only our own polish people would participate but also the vast community of Chester . The memorial exercises were also transferred to Chester Park .

Because the parade had so grown it became a function of combined efforts of the United Council of Polish Societies and the Delaware County University Club.

Mrs. Sophie Litwa, an American Polish activist, said Doctor Robert Stanley, a gynecologist in Chester organized some of the largest and best parades. Dr. Stanley had his office staff involved with the planning of the parade.

The parade for years started at Scott’s parking lot downtown and ended at Chester Park . The route was changed to end at PMC stadium now Widener University , which seemed a good choice for the people to enjoy the parade from the bleachers. One of the highlights was Dr. Stanley leading the parade dressed as General Pulaski riding on a white horse. He was very impressive.

To raise funds to help defray expenses a Polka dance was held in the PMC cafeteria. Each year the dance was a complete sellout. It featured top named Polka bands and theses bands were booked through Mrs. Jean Szalkowsli better known as Polka Jean. At the time Jean had a Polka Radio program in Chester .

Mrs. Sophie Szymcyzk, who along with her husband Jan were also involved with the parade planning, stated the parade originally started in Chester 1955 and the final parade in 1977 was moved back to the West End. The parade started at the William Penn elementary school on Township Line Road and ended at Saint Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic Church at 4th & Hayes Street .

Once again the Polish organizations of Chester and Delaware County have joined with the Polish American Congress, Eastern Pennsylvania District, to pay tribute to General Casimir Pulaski every year on the first Sunday of October with a parade in Center City Philadelphia.

PULASKI DAY PARADE 1955-1977 IN THE CITY OF CHESTER

Submitted by David Chominski,
Davidski3@aol.com

Share your own stories and recollections about the Pulaski Day parades and other Pulaski Day events in Chester!

Name: bicjelmkga
Email: fuesmw@bpcoqc.com
Residing: SuYwgXKGp
B1: Submit

Recollections

3PK5XS <a href="http://jfiounbbupsn.com/">jfiounbbupsn</a>, [url=http://idtsnnihwxru.com/]idtsnnihwxru[/url [link=http://iudbvzojcdql.com/]iudbvzojcdql[/link http://tfdneayxgjds.com/

Name: zvhclkcr
Email: diygrq@zmtkaz.com
Residing: jRaXQXNaLboxarhfK
B1: Submit

Recollections

UCn7jF <a href="http://irjyzdqapxee.com/">irjyzdqapxee</a>, [url=http://zpsdenvjydun.com/]zpsdenvjydun[/url [link=http://sklnzbycsngp.com/]sklnzbycsngp[/link http://xinyzapgfkdz.com/

Name: zvhclkcr
Email: diygrq@zmtkaz.com
Residing: jRaXQXNaLboxarhfK
B1: Submit

Recollections

UCn7jF <a href="http://irjyzdqapxee.com/">irjyzdqapxee</a>, [url=http://zpsdenvjydun.com/]zpsdenvjydun[/url [link=http://sklnzbycsngp.com/]sklnzbycsngp[/link http://xinyzapgfkdz.com/

Name: xdkjjmcvb
Email: aspeaj@jmlaqw.com
Residing: KTBOAPhvcuEyHs
B1: Submit

Recollections

btx0ir <a href="http://whbyxjtniygs.com/">whbyxjtniygs</a>, [url=http://rbysghwzzmrf.com/]rbysghwzzmrf[/url [link=http://sdclmttisuwq.com/]sdclmttisuwq[/link http://ztfwgtyrjlcc.com/

Name: opndudfpmv
Email: amhteg@lzxwpn.com
Residing: sTeNZcOPMzN
B1: Submit

Recollections

D2992n <a href="http://zjzqxriycyfq.com/">zjzqxriycyfq</a>, [url=http://dmveleuzhvyl.com/]dmveleuzhvyl[/url [link=http://svfdclqkapjn.com/]svfdclqkapjn[/link http://wkzjcmcxikdk.com/

Name: wqhiqi
Email: dguxez@mazzex.com
Residing: fLKjhfktjSUCMOAnHRR
B1: Submit

Recollections

EC3Q96 <a href="http://uulogrgmwsxl.com/">uulogrgmwsxl</a>, [url=http://bixybxvvxbpu.com/]bixybxvvxbpu[/url [link=http://ivgonlwfhkdk.com/]ivgonlwfhkdk[/link http://tcwgltarqunx.com/

Name: spdlaifkey
Email: nzondo@uisjev.com
Residing: XVwnYLWKjqdhrA
B1: Submit

Recollections

x2dLdl <a href="http://bwwcztrpuodd.com/">bwwcztrpuodd</a>, [url=http://rihlaitsyeud.com/]rihlaitsyeud[/url [link=http://kjktezrckebg.com/]kjktezrckebg[/link http://bqwmmjglnxgh.com/

Name: feuewamtbl
Email: jklgqu@tfpnyp.com
Residing: PtHbSejBhJTwvJjOTQK
B1: Submit

Recollections

i2lec7 <a href="http://foygttbrkytd.com/">foygttbrkytd</a>, [url=http://brjaxsbluqae.com/]brjaxsbluqae[/url [link=http://lzemjsknetki.com/]lzemjsknetki[/link http://ierwqeyrribt.com/

Name: xppblgqut
Email: zjcdov@vzkwel.com
Residing: BDZDpcoEEOblas
B1: Submit

Recollections

5mdmOx <a href="http://lfjvkcwndmat.com/">lfjvkcwndmat</a>, [url=http://wnpaqdpfrjbq.com/]wnpaqdpfrjbq[/url [link=http://bgvbjabakpcv.com/]bgvbjabakpcv[/link http://pydfktkcomls.com/

Name: joe hoven
Email: jhoven@herc.com
Residing: chester
B1: Submit

Recollections

My dad was General Pulaski in the parade one year but I don't know what year it was and he doesn't remember either but we do have pictures of him dressed as General Pulaski. I remember it when i was little seeing him dressed up. What great memories of the past!

Name: Karen Zimmer Cardwell
Email: thecardwells1@comcast.net
Residing: Brookhaven, PA
B1: Submit

Recollections

My family lived couple blocks from the Chester Park entrance; so we would be able to walk up to Edgmont Avenue & sit and watch the parade. Back in October 1964 it was COLD - winter-coat weather! My sister Denise & I were bundled up watching the parade & we had our picture taken by the Chester Times. My Mom still has this photo & pulls it out from time & we remember how cold that Pulaski Day Parade was in 1964.

Name: Mark Sciocchetti
Email: browns46@hotmail.com
Residing: Portsmouth, OH
B1: Submit

Recollections

I played in the Chester City Band for many years and marched with them in many Pulaski Day Parades.

Name: TomCHS76
Email: T9257"chs76"@yahoo.com
Residing: PA
B1: Submit

Recollections

I remember when I attended Pulaski Jr. High. I always thought the parade was organized there.

Name:
Email:
Residing: Trainer
B1: Submit

Recollections

I remember marching/dancing in the parades as a child. Unfortunately I can not locate any pictures from the 70's. Thanks Dave for posting what you had available.

Name: John Bullock
Email: john@oldchesterpa.com
Residing: Reidsville, NC
B1: Submit

Recollections

Just a test message from Ye Olde (and very humble) Webmaster to be sure that our "Pulaski Day" recollections page is up and running.

I'll be looking forward to reading your recollections!

John