Paratroopers visit Hill of Crosses [Image 1 of 2]

SIAULIAI, LITHUANIA

10.01.2016

Photo by Staff Sgt. Corinna Baltos 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

SIAULIAI, Lithuania – A Paratrooper with Able Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, looks at crosses left at the Hill of Crosses, Oct. 1 during a cultural visit to the national monument. Crosses were first placed on the hill, which had been the site of the old Domantai Hill Fort, in 1831 in remembrance to those who lost their lives during the Cadet Uprising during the Polish-Russian War. The site was bulldozed five times during the Soviet Occupation, the last being in 1984. However, Lithuanian citizens always rebuilt it as a point of national pride. It is estimated that there are over 100,000 crosses on the hill. Able Company arrived in Lithuania two-weeks ago to embark on a six-month rotation to train with their Lithuanian partners as part of Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting forces to conduct a full range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Command areas of responsibility within 18 hours. The U.S. and partner nations conducted land, sea and air exercises and maintained a rotational presence in order to reinforce NATO security commitments in Europe.

• Date Taken: 10.01.2016
• Date Posted: 10.04.2016 09:59
• Photo ID: 2896720
• VIRIN: 161001-A-XQ291-291
• Resolution: 1424x2144
• Size: 1.73 MB
• Location: SIAULIAI, LT