Presentation and accompanying photo exhibit will highlight long and unique partnership of Illinois and Polish armed forces
WHEATON, IL, — The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park invites the public to a free program on Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30 pm. Colonel Michael Haerr of the Illinois Army National Guard will present “The Polish Armed Forces in the International Security Assistance Force Mission in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”
Haerr, a native of Eureka, Ill., recently served 10 months as the Deputy Commander of Polish Task Force White Eagle in Afghanistan. He was also assigned to the Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) A7 as commander of the 18 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers embedded with the Polish Forces. The team provided operational, intelligence, logistical, communications, engineering and planning support to the ninth rotation of Polish forces to Afghanistan. The unit returned to Illinois last month. In addition, Task Force Ramrod (2-2 Infantry, 1st Division) supported Task Force White Eagle and experienced success during security operations with their Afghan partners such as reopening 29 schools that were closed in 2007 by the Taliban.
A traveling photo exhibit, translated into English, Polish and French, will also be unveiled. It was prepared by the Polish Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. The exhibit will be on display at the First Division Museum through December 18.
“The exhibit presents a complete picture of civil and military issues of the mission,” said Maj. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard public affairs director. “While the exhibit shows the two countries [U.S. and Poland] in the modern battlefield, it represents a joint military history dating back more than a century.”
The Illinois National Guard has maintained a State Partnership Program with Poland since 1993 and continues to co-deploy with the Polish Land Forces to Afghanistan. The bond between Poland and Illinois forces dates back to the Civil War when 200 Polish men from Illinois enlisted to fight for the Union.
Doors open at 6:45 pm. Admission and parking are complimentary. For more information, please visit FirstDivisionMuseum.org.
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About the First Division Museum
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, promotes public learning about America’s military heritage and affairs through the history of the Big Red One—the famed 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. It stands in tribute to all who have served our country in the armed forces. The museum’s main exhibit hall transports visitors to the trenches of World War I, the beaches of World War II and the jungles of Vietnam. Outside, tanks are displayed from every era, along with personnel carriers and artillery. The Robert R. McCormick Research Center, open to the public, houses the museum’s library, archival and photo collections. Visit the First Division Museum at Cantigny online at FirstDivisionMuseum.org.