Photo By Lauren Harrah | WARSAW, Poland – Soldiers of Company D, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor...... read more read more
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WARSAW, Poland – Soldiers of Company D, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Ft. Stewart, Ga., took part in the Polish Armed Forces Day Parade in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 15, 2016.
The “Dark Knights” of D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt., joined their Polish counterparts on foot, marching in formation with their assigned M4 rifles in hand, and on tracks in M1A2 Abrams tanks and M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
“This was the first time that we’ve had any of our Soldiers from 3-69 participate in the parade here, as well as being the first time that U.S. tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles have ever been in Warsaw,” said 1st Lt. Brett Lamarca, executive officer, D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt.
The parade, held annually in the capital, commemorates the 96th anniversary of the Polish victory over Soviet Russia at the Battle of Warsaw in 1920 during the Polish-Soviet War.
Marked by the arrival of President Andrzej Duda, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, and Polish Chief of Staff Gen. Mieczyslaw Gocul, the event began with a presidential address and placing of flowers at the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier. Smoke in the colors of the Polish flag flushed the sky as a formation of Polish PZL TS-11 Iskra jet trainer aircraft flew overhead.
U.S. troops were among a dozen countries represented, marching alongside more than 1,000 Polish Soldiers. The procession also included a variety of Polish military vehicles, re-enactment groups, and cavalry.
Taking part in the event was a unique experience for the U.S. Soldiers, explained 1SG Mark Martin, senior enlisted advisor, D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt. The Soldiers were able to march alongside allied forces while also being able to see each force’s traditions, dress uniforms, and drill and ceremony.
“The Polish seemed very excited to have American Soldiers there,” said Spc. Aerial Giles, cook with D Co., 3rd Bn., 69th Arm. Rgmt. “This will definitely be one of the things I’ll talk about if someone asks about my experience in Poland.”
The Dark Knights are on a training rotation in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe reaffirming U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2016 07:23 |
| Story ID: | 207722 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, US Soldiers join allies for Polish Armed Forces Day, by Lauren Harrah, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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