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Tennessee Army National Guard participates in Ukrainian Independence Day
KYIV, Ukraine – Soldiers in the Tennessee Army National Guard from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment march alongside Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Ukrainian Independence Day parade, Aug. 24.
The annual parade takes place in downtown Kyiv, Maidan Nezalezhnosti, and celebrates Ukraine’s Declaration of Independence in 1991.
Over 250 pieces of military equipment, including helicopters and aircrafts, and 4,400 Servicemen represented Ukraine in the parade. The parade also featured representatives from 12 NATO allies and partner nations.
Distinguished U.S. delegates in attendance include National Security Advisor, Mr. John Robert Bolton, U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch and Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe.
The President of Ukraine, Mr. Petro Poroshenko, delivered a speech and introduced the official greeting of Ukrainian Armed Forces, “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!”
This marks the second year U.S. Soldiers were invited to participate in the Ukrainian Independence Day parade. The significance of American participation showcases the continual growth in partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine.
In addition to the ceremony, Soldiers were invited to attend a culture day in Kyiv where they toured national museums and developed a further appreciation of Ukrainian history and culture. The culture day concluded with a concert in the National park, “Sofia Kyivska.”
"Representing the United States and the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment during Ukraine's Independence Day parade was a great honor," said Sgt. 1st Class James Vittetoe, a participating soldier at the parade. "In my 18 years of service, celebrating with other partner and allied countries was the most memorable experience I have ever been a part of. The country is beautiful, rich in history and the people are very patriotic. After meeting the locals after the parade, shaking their hands, taking pictures with the children and continually being genuinely thanked for celebrating their independence, it completely validated the service we are doing here, and I am happy to be a part of it."
Soldiers from the 278th ACR are deployed to Ukraine in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, which is an ongoing program assisting in the development of the Yavoriv Combat Training Center.
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2018 08:56 |
| Story ID: | 290383 |
| Location: | UA |
| Web Views: | 440 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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