9/22/2009 - Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Andrzej Blasik, commander of the Polish air force, attend an arrival ceremony in General Blasik's honor, at the U.S. Air Force Memorial Sept. 22. In a brief ceremony, General Schwartz presented the Legion of Merit to General Blasik. This is the first United States decoration created specifically to award citizens of other nations. The decoration was established in 1940 by an Act of Congress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

9/22/2009 - The United States Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial flight marches to designated positions before the arrival of Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Andrzej Blasik, commander of the Polish air force, at the U.S. Air Force Memorial Sept. 22. In a brief ceremony, General Schwartz presented the Legion of Merit to General Blasik. This is the first United States decoration created specifically to award citizens of other nations. The decoration was established in 1940 by an Act of Congress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

9/22/2009 - Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Andrzej Blasik, Polish air force commander, inspect the Air Force Honor Guard during an arrival ceremony in General Blasik's honor at the U.S. Air Force Memorial Sept. 22. In a brief ceremony, General Schwartz presented the Legion of Merit to General Blasik. This is the first United States decoration created specifically to award citizens of other nations. The decoration was established in 1940 by an Act of Congress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

9/22/2009 - Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, presents the Legion of Merit to Lt. Gen. Andrzej Blasik, commander of the Polish air force, at the U.S Air Force Memorial Sept. 22. This is the first United States decoration created specifically to award citizens of other nations. The decoration was established in 1940 by an Act of Congress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)

9/22/2009 - Columbian Air Force cadets salute during the arrival ceremony of Lt. Gen. Andrzej Blasik, Polish air force commander, at the U.S Air Force Memorial Sept. 22. The cadets participated in the wreath laying ceremony, which followed the arrival ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandre Montes)