Polish President visits Illinois Guard Soldiers at Marseilles Training Center

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Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski visited Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and five Polish officers training May 20 at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles.

MARSEILLES, IL (05/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Gov. Pat Quinn and Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart of Belleville, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard welcomed President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski at the MarseillesTraining Center where they visited with Illinois Soldiers and Polish officers in training, May 20.

Quinn and Enyart were presented with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which is bestowed upon foreigners for distinguished contribution to international cooperation with Poland. Thirteen of the Soldiers 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," Governor 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 servicemembers."

The visit by 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," said Enyart. "We truly value the great relationships we have developed with Poland since 1993 and today's visit only enhanced those relationships."

The Soldiers honored with the Commander's Cross included: Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller of Tamms, Col. Albert Cox of Newark, Lt. Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, Lt. Col Joseph Schweickert of Peoria, Maj. Eric Davis of Mount Pulaski, Maj. Stanley Manes of Champaign, Capt. Andrew Adamczyk of Springfield, Capt. Douglas Coop of Jacksonville,, Master Sgt. Richard Schap of Sycamore, Master Sgt. Terry Martin of Dunlap, Master Sgt. David Ray of Millstadt, Sgt. 1st Class Ryanzo Perez of Springfield, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Markham of Glenarm.

Photo captions:

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski visited Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and five Polish officers training May 20 at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles. Komorowski was accompanied by Gov. Pat Quinn and key leadership of the Illinois National Guard.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Maj. Gen. William Enyart of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard and Gov. Pat Quinn were awarded Poland's Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit by Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski May 20 at the Illinois National Guard's Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski speaks during a visit to the Illinois National Guard's Marseilles Training Center May 20 in Marseilles. Komorowski was accompanied by Gov. Pat Quinn and Maj. Gen. William Enyart of Belleville, Adjutant General for the Illinois National Guard.