Obama Meets with Illinois National Guard Troops in Poland

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President Barack Obama meets with 12 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers May 27 in Warsaw, Poland.

WARSAW, POLAND (05/31/2011)(readMedia)-- - President Barack Obama met with 12 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers May 27 in Warsaw, Poland.

The Illinois National Guard Soldiers are part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package from Springfield and returned from Poland during Memorial Day weekend.

The Illinois National Guard troops and Polish Soldiers trained together to respond to a chemical attack May 19 to 27 as part of the crisis management exercise EPIFAKTOR 2011 in Warsaw, Poland. Capt. Douglas Coop of Jacksonville, the State Partnership Program Director, said the Illinois National Guard received the request to support the president's visit May 24 and the 12 troops were ready to assist.

The troops were present as Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Poland in honor of Memorial Day and the servicemembers killed in the line of duty. The monument stands tribute to the unknown Soldiers who gave their lives during conflicts in Poland's history.

Coop said the president talked to the Soldiers discussing the Illinois National Guard, their mission and the partnership between Illinois and Poland.

"The president took time to shake each of our hands and visit briefly, acknowledging that we're all from his home state," said Coop.

Since 1993 Illinois Army National Guard and Polish force have trained together as part of the State Partnership Program. Illinois and Poland have conducted exercises, both in Illinois and Poland, for 18 years. Polish forces and Illinois National Guard troops have deployed together to both Iraq and Afghanistan during every Polish rotation into theater.

photo 1) Submitted photo/ President Barack Obama meets with 12 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers May 27 in Warsaw, Poland. The Illinois Soldiers are part of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package and will returned from Poland during Memorial Day weekend.

photo 2) Submitted photo/ President Barack Obama Shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Sarah Roman of Evanston, with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park, May 27 in Warsaw, Poland. The Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers were present as Obama laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Poland in honor of Memorial Day.