 May 2nd and 3rd saw the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Lithuania and the Illinois National Guard celebrate the 230th anniversary of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Constitution. The Constitution of May 3rd 1791 is considered to be Europe's first and the world's second modern written national constitution after the United States Constitution. That gave the people of Poland and the people of Lithuania as well as the whole of Europe a unique experience and universal values, the rule of law, democracy, desire for freedom, unity and equivalence. The two-day celebration began by honoring General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish hero of the American Revolution. Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army in 1776, helping the United States win its independence. As a skilled engineer during the Revolutionary War, he designed fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point and Saratoga. He became a well-known national hero in Poland, Belarus, Lithuania and the United States. Following the ceremony at the monument near Sheds Aquarium, the celebration moved on to Holy Trinity Polish Catholic Church. The commemoration ended on Monday with a flag raising of the Polish and Lithuanian national flags over Daly Plaza in downtown Chicago. First Army Deputy Commander for Operations U.S. Army General Mark Jackson took that time to point out the association with the U.S. and Poland. Today, the American military trades hard with the Polish and Lithuanian military, sending a clear message to those who would threaten the freedom and sovereignty of both nations. We stand together, Czynkuja. Reporting from Chicago, Tech Sergeant Brian Ellison, 126th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs.