Photo By Staff Sgt. Jasmine McCarthy | Troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division pose for a photo with a Polish man during a...... read more read more
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BOLESLAWIEC, Poland – Dozens of white and red flags streamed along the sides of the streets as both Polish and U.S. Army soldiers marched together in a parade procession to celebrate Poland’s Independence Day on Monday. Over a dozen troopers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, volunteered to participate in the Independence Day parade, at the request of local Polish military units.
“I find that today is cool, because the Polish appreciate us being here, so it is kind of like we are celebrating our Veterans Day intertwined with their holiday,” said Spc. Evan Divito, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) specialist. “It opens your eyes to different cultures, and the things that have happened in history at different times.” Divito held the battalion’s colors at this year’s event.
Several countries also honor November 11 as Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day in the United States. On November 11, 1918, Poland became a sovereign state after centuries of conflict against German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian Empires. As a result of the struggle the country endured from the time of its independence through the World Wars and communist regimes, Poland strongly connects this major holiday with its own military and veterans for their contribution to the liberation of the nation. Leading the U.S. participation in the event is Lt. Col. George Gordon, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.
“So, when you look at what Veterans Day is, it is a celebration for everybody who has served in the uniformed services,” said Gordon. “I think supporting and honoring the Polish Independence Day is a perfect way to celebrate our own Veteran’s Day as well. It is about executing missions across the globe in support of freedom, and what better way to celebrate Veterans Day than by celebrating freedom with our Polish allies?”
Gordon took command of the battalion on June 14 of this year. The parade is one of several engagements he has participated in to ensure the 1st Cavalry Division continues to maintain a strong relationship with its local allies in Poland and Eastern Europe.
“It is important that our soldiers support our Polish allies during an important day in their country’s history,” said Gordon. “Our Polish allies supported us during our own Independence Day celebration here, so doing this shows mutual support for our country’s history and culture. The only way to assure and deter is to show a united front, and that means supporting each other and accepting each other in everything that we do.”
The event concluded with the laying of flowers at the base of a remembrance monument, a static display of Polish and U.S. military vehicles, and local warm refreshments.
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2024 08:43 |
| Story ID: | 485056 |
| Location: | BOLESLAWIEC, PL |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From Veterans Day to Polish Independence Day, 1st Cavalry Division honors all through joint parade event, by SSG Jasmine McCarthy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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