Polish Military Photo Exhibit Opens at First Division Museum Cantigny

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CHICAGO (12/09/2011)(readMedia)-- CHICAGO – The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton hosted the opening of a photo exhibit entitled "The Polish Armed Forces in the International Security Assistance Force Mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," Dec. 6.

Illinois Army National Guardsman, Col. Michael Haerr of Eureka, former deputy commander of Polish Task Force White Eagle and former commander of the Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) A7, was the guest speaker for the event.

"Poland and the Illinois Guard have a long history of cooperation," Haerr said. "Since the end of the Cold War, the National Guard and its Citizen-Soldiers helped the Polish Land Forces integrate into NATO and operate in major roles as part of both Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom."

First Division Museum Executive Director Paul Herbert said the photo exhibit illustrates the history shared by both nations and their armed forces.

"It's a fascinating reminder of the link between the Illinois Army National Guard, the Polish Military, and the First Division." Said Herbert.

Col. Robert R. McCormick, the benefactor of Cantigny Park and the First Division Museum, joined the Illinois National Guard in 1915 and served in the 1st Illinois Cavalry before joining the active service in 1917 with the First Division, now the 1st Infantry Division. Polish Task Force White Eagle, along with Illinois Army National Guard BEST teams, currently operates in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan along with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. "I think most people are unaware of the historic and unique link between the three," Herbert said.

The exhibit consists of nine free-standing roll-up banners featuring the Polish Armed Forces mission in Afghanistan and will be on display at First Division Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, 60189-3353 until Dec. 20. For more information see www.firstdivisionmuseum.org for more information.

Photo 1: U.S Army photo by Capt. Dustin Cammack, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ First Division Museum at Cantigny hosted the opening of a photo exhibit entitled "The Polish Armed Forces in the International Security Assistance Force Mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," on Dec. 6 in Wheaton. The exhibit consists of nine free-standing roll-up banners featuring the Polish Armed Forces mission in Afghanistan and will be on display at First Division Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, 60189-3353 until Dec. 20.

Photo 2: U.S Army photo by Capt. Dustin Cammack, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Illinois Army National Guardsmen, Col. Michael Haerr, former deputy commander of Polish Task Force White Eagle and former commander of the Bilateral Embedded Support Team A7 speaks to visitors of the Dec. 6 photo exhibit opening entitled "The Polish Armed Forces in the International Security Assistance Force Mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan." The exhibit consists of nine free-standing roll-up banners featuring the Polish Armed Forces mission in Afghanistan and will be on display at First Division Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. 60189-3353 until Dec. 20.

Photo 2: U.S Army photo by Capt. Dustin Cammack, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ First Division Museum at Cantigny Executive Director Paul Herbert and Illinois Army National Guardsmen, Col. Michael Haerr, former deputy commander of Polish Task Force White Eagle and former commander of the Bilateral Embedded Support Team A7 pose in front of the photo exhibit entitled "The Polish Armed Forces in the International Security Assistance Force Mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," on Dec. 6 in Wheaton, Ill. The First Division Museum located at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, 60189-3353, hosted the opening of the exhibit and will remain on display until Dec. 20.