Polish Americans march up Fifth Avenue for the 89th Pulaski Day Parade, saluting America's 250th

Red and white filled Fifth Avenue on Sunday as the 89th annual Pulaski Day Parade marched from 39th Street to 51st Street, one of the largest yearly celebrations of Polish heritage in the United States.

This year's parade carried a special theme for the nation's 250th birthday: "For Our Freedom and Yours! General Kościuszko and General Pułaski — Soldiers of Liberty for Poland and America. Saluting 250 Years of American Independence."

Two generals, two nations

Gen. Casimir Pulaski crossed the Atlantic to fight for a country that did not yet exist. Remembered as the "Father of the American Cavalry," he died of wounds suffered at the Siege of Savannah in 1779. Gen. Tadeusz Kościuszko, a military engineer, designed fortifications at Saratoga and West Point before returning to lead an uprising for Poland's independence.

Organizers chose the pair to highlight figures who are easy to forget in the American telling of the Revolution, and the long friendship between Poland and the United States.

A day of faith and pride

The day began with a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, where the Jutrzenka Choir was joined by choirs from Rzeszów, Poland; about 53 musicians and singers from Rzeszów traveled for the celebrations.

Grand Marshal Dr. Iwona Korga, president of the Piłsudski Institute in New York, led more than 60 contingents: Polish American community groups from across the region, Polish Saturday schools, youth organizations, the Miss Polonia and Junior Miss Polonia courts, marching bands, veterans, and delegations from Poland. Historian Dr. Karol Polejowski served as honorary marshal.

"The Pulaski Day Parade is the greatest manifestation of Polish culture and pride in the United States," said Richard Zawisny, president of the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee, who invited "the entire Polish-American community, all New Yorkers, and visitors from throughout the country" to join.

A community with deep roots

Millions of Americans claim Polish ancestry, with long-established communities in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. Many trace their families to immigrants who came in the late 1800s and early 1900s to work in mills, mines and factories, and to newer arrivals after Poland joined the European Union.

The Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, the parade's lead sponsor, is marking its own 50th anniversary of serving the community this year. Pulaski's legacy is also honored each year on Casimir Pulaski Day, observed in Illinois on the first Monday of March, and by countless streets, schools and parks bearing his name nationwide.