Courtesy Photo | Mark Pekela, the United States ambassador to Latvia, fields questions from U.S. Army...... read more read more
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OLD RIGA, Latvia - Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, toured Riga, Latvia, before meeting the U.S. ambassador at the U.S. Embassy on May 22.
The tour was part of a cultural day for the unit that began when Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs greeted them at Riga City Hall. City hall is officially named the Riga Dome, and is located in Old Riga where culture merges with a long-standing history.
“For years we have had a partnership and more importantly a friendship with the United States. It is our honor to host you in our country, and to participate in many exercises with your unit,” Usakovs said.
After receiving a brief tour of Riga Dome, the paratroopers were led through Old Riga by Juris Burze, a native Latvian and professional tour guide, who told stories of conquering nations and patron saints. The city, founded in 1201, has been a melting pot of other nations many times over. The tour began at a building initially designed and built by the Germans in 1334. It was used as a guild for unmarried German merchants early on, also functioning as an armory for their small, haphazard militia.
Moving on, the unit learned the history of the Freedom Monument, the city’s central landmark, standing for almost a full century. Symbols of freedom and liberty are all formed at the base of the statue that stands 150 feet tall.
During the tour the paratroopers were approached by Latvian citizens, tourists, and others, wishing to thank them for their presence in Latvia.
“Latvians are very grateful of course. The presence of our NATO allies, ships and troops helps to secure our country. We feel safe. The entire duration of the tour people in open cafes stop drinking their coffees to observe what the Soldiers are doing and saying. So many people wish to give thanks for the U.S. Soldiers that are in our country,” Burze said.
The paratroopers headed for the embassy with a wealth of local knowledge, to be greeted by U.S. Ambassador Mark Pekala.
“Thank you so much on behalf of the United States and the people of Latvia for what you do. You ensure that our home is secure and even more, that our allies are secure,” Pekala said.
Pekala went on to praise the long-lasting friendship and alliance with Latvia.
“For 800 years, the strongest fighting forces in the world at their respective times, have conquered and ruled Latvia. This is the first time the world’s most dominant military has entered the country and protected and preserved the freedoms they enjoy,” Pekala said. “The citizens of this country can continue to enjoy travel and global culture thanks to the hard work you guys are doing.”
The Deputy Chief of the Mission at the embassy, Caryn McClelland, expressed how important the mission of the 173rd Airborne is.
“You are helping us to demystify what an American is. You make our jobs easier. You are providing assurance to the locals; leading from the front,” McClelland said. “The better we do at diplomatic relations like these, the less likely we are to shoot it out on the battlefield.”
The paratroopers of the 173rd were well aware of the unique experience they had been given with the city tour and embassy visit.
“I believe in America and believe that we a lot to offer and it’s an honor any time I get the opportunity to share our vision with the world,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Johnson, a platoon leader with the 1st Bn., 503rd Inf. Regt.
The paratroopers arrived in Latvia in early April, when more than 600 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne traveled to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, as part of an unscheduled land-forces exercise to demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations and sustain interoperability with allied forces.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Commands area of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2014 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 130931 |
| Location: | OLD RIGA, AI, LV |
| Web Views: | 760 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Maroon berets in downtown Riga: 173rd Airborne paratroopers explore Latvian capital, by CPT Corissa Barton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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