Fort Stewart, Italy-based U.S. Soldiers volunteer at camp in Latvia

Photo By Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher | Sgt. Cole Rivera and Pfc. Christopher Pichedwatana, Boise, Idaho, and Lakewood, Calif., natives, respectfully, with 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Vicenza, Italy, move wood as part of a community engagement with the Latvian Christian Camp Center in Sigulda, Latvia. U.S. Soldiers are currently in Latvia as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between the U.S. and other NATO allies. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

LATVIA

04.25.2015

Story by Sgt. Brooks Fletcher 

16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ADAZI MILITARY BASE, Latvia — Soldiers from 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga., and 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Vicenza, Italy, participated in a community engagement in Sigulda, Latvia.

The Soldiers came from the "Rock of the Marne” Division’s 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment and “Sky Soldier” Brigade’s 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, who helped in moving wood to be used by the nonprofit organization Latvian Christian Camp Center.

“It is a blessing to have so many strong Soldiers come out and help with what the camp considers a daunting task,” said Vitali Kotkovs, director for a camp that has been catering to children and teens for 20 years. “What takes us several days to complete, takes this handful of Soldiers only a couple of hours. We are grateful.”

The day’s event was made possible from a relationship established between Capt. Jose Jimenez, the battalion's chaplain, and Latvian Land Forces Chaplain Corps.

“We can often be inward focused,” said Jimenez, a San Diego native. “But in looking outward toward our NATO partners, we can find great opportunities to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world.”

Along with fostering a better understanding of the world, this U.S.-Latvia engagement is in conjunction with Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between the U.S. and other NATO allies.

For Sgt. Jeremy Rose from 173rd IBCT, who has participated in several multinational operations throughout Europe, such engagements are part of helping further enhance a Transatlantic relationship.

“Along with coming out and meeting the locals and receiving this hospitality, we get to build upon the relationships we’ve established during exercises and trainings over the years,” said Rose, a Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native.

Kotkovs reiterates the importance of the military coming out and working with the community.

“It allows the people to see that the military is more than ‘weapons and training,’ but Soldiers that are people just like us,” Kotkovs concluded. “Today, we’ve been blessed with a group of Soldiers that are strong, experienced and can do the job well. Sometimes people want to do everything for a salary, so it’s just nice to see people that want to help, and smile while doing it.”

• Date Taken: 04.25.2015
• Date Posted: 04.29.2015 03:49
• Story ID: 161627
• Location: LV
• Hometown: RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, US