*Administration of Barack H. Obama, 2010 *

**Statement on the Funeral Service for President Lech Kaczynski of Poland **

*April 17, 2010 *

I spoke with Acting President Komorowski and told him that I regret that I will not be able to make it to Poland due to the volcanic ash that is disrupting air travel over Europe. Michelle and I continue to have the Polish people in our thoughts and prayers, and will support them in any way I can as they recover from this terrible tragedy. President Kaczynski was a patriot and close friend and ally of the United States, as were those who died alongside him, and the American people will never forget the lives they led.

*Categories:* Statements by the President : Poland, funeral service for President Lech Kaczynski.

*Names:* Kaczynski, Lech; Komorowski, Bronislaw; Obama, Michelle*.*

*Subjects:* Deaths : Kaczynski, Lech, President of Poland; Europe : European airspace, closure due to volcanic ash cloud; Iceland : Eyjafjallajokull volcano, eruption; Poland : Acting President; Poland : President.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201000278.