Photo By Sgt. Zeta Kennel | Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves shakes hands with a paratrooper from Troop B,...... read more read more
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TALLINN, Estonia –As millions of Americans prepare to march in parades and set off fireworks in honor of their nation’s 238th birthday, the people of Estonia and their American military and diplomatic guests took a nine-day head start by conducting a 4th of July extravaganza June 26 near the heart of Tallinn, Estonia’s coastal capital.
Jeffrey D. Levine, U.S. ambassador to Estonia, opened his home to American and Estonian service members, community leaders and political dignitaries to join the patriotic celebration that combined traditional servings of hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pies with a taste of Estonians’ love for karaoke, Segway rides and live music from Ewert and The Two Dragons, one of the country’s most popular rock bands.
“Many countries recognize their independence in a formal and somber way,” said Levine. “This is an opportunity for us to show our host nation friends how America celebrates its independence with casual parties where everyone can relax and have fun.”
Among the approximately 1,000 guests were more than two dozen paratroopers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.
“It’s a great blessing and a privilege to be here and celebrate our nation’s independence at the ambassador’s home,” said Cpl. Brian J. Rushford, a medic assigned to Troop B. “I’m also proud that I can come here and answer my nation’s call.”
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 of range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Commands areas of responsibility.
“Building strong relationships with our allies is key to success,” said 1st Sgt. Christopher J. Valverde, Troop B’s senior noncommissioned officer. “We have enhanced our relationships with our Estonian partners by better communicating our respective knowledge and capabilities on the field.”
Currently stationed in Paldiski, a former Soviet submarine base that once guarded the Gulf of Finland, Troop B is part of a task force comprising approximately 600 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to participate in unscheduled land-forces exercises to demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations and sustain interoperability with allied forces.
“As a member of NATO, it’s important that we assure our allies that America is committed to deter any aggression in the region,” said Levine. “By inviting our friends from the 173rd, we are letting the people of Estonia know that we are here to enhance our collected security by training alongside Estonian troops.”
“It’s great to see my Soldiers mingle with U.S. Sailors, Marines, the [American] embassy staff and Estonian citizens,” said Valverde, a Long Beach, California, native. “They have as much to offer us as we offer them.”
According to Rushford, a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, the presumably premature Independence Day celebration could not have come at a better time.
“This is a great opportunity for us to talk with our Estonian allies as our training tempo quickens,” said Rushford. “We can converse about our respective missions and duties so we can get the most out of our combined training.”
As the paratroopers from Troop B boarded a bus and bade farewell to their American and Estonian hosts, people from both countries pondered the future of their partnership by reminiscing about their respective pasts.
“Estonians tend to celebrate their independence in a more somber way,” said Levine. “Many of them can recall firsthand the sacrifices made to earn their freedom. I hope this event lets our service members here know how much they’re appreciated.”
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2014 08:36 |
| Story ID: | 134927 |
| Location: | EE |
| Hometown: | VICENZA, IT |
| Hometown: | LONG BEACH, CA, US |
| Hometown: | PORTSMOUTH, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 423 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A head start: Americans, Estonians celebrate 4th of July in June, by SFC John Carkeet IV, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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