Wisniewski serves special role in Pulaski Day parade
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg walks with New Jersey Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski as they march along Fifth Avenue in the Oct. 1 Pulaski Day parade.

Sayreville resident and state Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski was honored with the title of grand marshal at this year's Pulaski Day Parade in New York City on Oct. 1.

Wisniewski, an attorney with the Tinton Falls-based firm Ronan, Tuzzio & Giannone, has served in the Assembly since 1995 and is also the chairman of the Sayreville Democratic Organization. Over his many years of public service, he has been recognized in a number of ways, but leading the recent march through midtown New York was special.

"I was honored to have been chosen to lead the parade down Fifth Avenue," Wisniewski told the Suburban. "It was an important occasion for me, being of Polish descent, to be the leader of a day of commemoration to the contributions of General Pulaski."

Brig. Gen. Casimir Pulaski served as a commander during the Revolutionary War and died in the battle of Savannah on Oct. 11, 1779 while trying to raise morale and rally his troops who were under heavy enemy fire. Many dedications have been made to the historical figure throughout the country, ranging from the Pulaski Skyway in Newark to the naming of Oct. 11 as General Pulaski Memorial Day.

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine was honorary grand marshal at the 69th annual parade in New York City. The Pulaski cadets color guard, the Polish Legion of American Veterans and other organizations including the Rutgers University Marching Band also participated in the parade.

Wisniewski said he was grateful not just for being chosen grand marshal, but also for the support of the community as well.

"It was good to be accompanied by so many friends from Middlesex County and my hometown of Sayreville," he said.

Also in attendance at the event were Middlesex County Clerk Elaine Flynn, Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency Engineer David Samuel, Sayreville councilmen Dennis Grobelny, Daniel Buchanan, Stanley Drwal and Thomas Pollando, who were aides to the grand marshal.

"The dancing, the singing ... it was absolutely beautiful," Pollando said of the day's events.

Pollando noted that Wisniewski and the many residents who attended the event represented the state of New Jersey.

"How often does a person from Sayreville get that kind of a prestigious honor as grand marshal of the Polish day parade? We, the residents of Sayreville and all of New Jersey should be very proud to have one of our own as grand marshal," Pollando said.