Sky Soldier reconnects with Lithuanian ‘family’ after 20 years [Image 6 of 6]

RUKLA, LITHUANIA

07.05.1996

Courtesy Photo

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

Fred Martin (far right) of Atlanta plays checkers with Nerijus Gvergzdis, while Fred’s wife, Valjean (left) , and Nerijus’ mother, Egidija (top right), watch on in the family’s apartment in Kaunas, Lithuanua. Fred and Valjean, sponsored Nerijus, who was born with cerebral palsy, for multiple surgeries in the United States to have his legs uncrossed and his dental issues addressed. Almost 20 years later their grandson, 1st Lt. Andrew Martin of Nashville, Tennessee, 2nd platoon leader for Troop A, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, was deployed to Lithuania for Operation Atlantic Resolve and able to reconnect with Egidija and Nerijus for a brief reunion. The 173rd Airborne is currently deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an exercise dedicated to demonstrating commitment to NATO obligations and maintaining interoperability with allied forces. (Photo provided by: 1st Lt. Andrew Martin, 2nd Platoon, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade/Released)

• Date Taken: 07.05.1996
• Date Posted: 09.03.2014 10:27
• Photo ID: 1532653
• VIRIN: 960705-A-AM001-003
• Resolution: 1754x1163
• Size: 1.36 MB
• Location: RUKLA, LT
• Hometown: KAUNAS, LT
• Hometown: ATLANTA, GA, US
• Hometown: NASHVILLE, TN, US