embassy events 2008 

Senior US Officials Attend Welcome Home Ceremony for Polish Iraq War Veterans

4 November 2008

Senior US Officials Attend Welcome Home Ceremony for Polish Iraq War Veterans (more photos)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for NATO and Europe, Mr. Roger Zakheim, and the Director of Central Command’s Coalition Coordination Center, Major General Michael Diamond attended a ceremony on 29 October marking the completion of Poland’s participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were invited by the Polish General Staff.  In his remarks, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented that the homecoming inspired feelings of pride, relief, and sadness -  pride in the accomplishments of the Polish military, relief that Poland’s soldiers were finally home safe, and sadness for the fallen.  Following the ceremony, Mr. Zakheim and Major General Diamond had the honor of eating lunch with a number of Polish soldiers that had just arrived home from Iraq the previous day.  Mr. Zakheim also took this opportunity to thank Poland for its increased commitment to stability in Afghanistan.