MARSEILLES, Ill. - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Army Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard, welcomed the President of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, to the Marseilles Training Center here where they visited with Illinois Soldiers and Polish officers May 20.
The Illinois Army Guard Soldiers and Polish officers are conducting joint training as part of their military and civilian partnership through the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.
Quinn and Enyart were presented with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, an honor that is bestowed upon foreigners for distinguished contributions to international cooperation with the nation of Poland. Thirteen other Illinois Guard members were also presented with the cross.
"We welcome President Komorowski to Illinois and thank him for the continued economic and military partnership with our state and the Illinois Army National Guard," Quinn said.
"This visit is a show of solidarity and support for our troops, and a testament to the great friendship that we have with Poland. I am honored to accept the Commander's Cross with Illinois' outstanding service members," he said.
The visit by the Polish dignitaries coincides with the NATO Summit, taking place in Chicago May 20-21.
"It was important for President Komorowski to see what training happens here in Illinois before his soldiers deploy to a combat zone with Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers," Enyart said.
"We truly value the great relationships we have developed with Poland since 1993 and today's visit only enhanced those relationships," he said.
The Illinois Army National Guard members honored with the Commander's Cross included: Army Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller; Col. Albert Cox; Lt. Col. Drew Dukett; Lt. Col Joseph Schweickert; Maj. Eric Davis; Maj. Stanley Manes; Capt. Andrew Adamczyk; Capt. Douglas Coop; Master Sgt. Richard Schap; Master Sgt. Terry Martin; Master Sgt. David Ray; Sgt. 1st Class Ryanzo Perez; and Sgt. 1st Class Michael Markham.