Photo By Lauren Harrah | ZAGAN, Poland – 2nd Lt. Sean Jollata, platoon leader with Company G, 3rd Combined...... read more read more
Subscribe
ZAGAN, Poland – In honor of International Literacy Day on Sep. 8, Soldiers of 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, participated in a Polish literacy event in Zagan, Poland, Sep. 3, 2016.
The event, hosted by the Zagan Public Library in partnership with the Polish 11th Armoured Division and the Ducal Palace in Zagan, provided Soldiers a unique opportunity to interact with the local community.
2nd Lt. Scott Williams, platoon leader with D Co., 3-69 AR and 2nd Lt. Sean Jollata, platoon leader with G Co., 3-69 AR, joined the Mayor of Zagan, Daniel Marchewka, to read translated excerpts from “Quo Vadis,” a historic Polish drama written by Henryk Sienkiewicz and published in 1895.
“It was a small gesture, but I think it went a long way in showing that we are here with the Polish army and the citizens of Poland whether in something major like a training exercise or something small like this national literacy day reading event,” Williams said.
The Soldiers of 3-69 AR have been training alongside Polish allies over the past few months in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe that demonstrates U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.
It is equally important for Soldiers of 3-69 AR to participate in these events and embrace the local community, explained Jolatta. In doing so he hopes U.S. Soldiers are able to bond with Polish citizens and have a lasting impact on the community outside of military training events.
“There were some families that wanted to get pictures with us so I think they really look up to the U.S. Army and the Soldiers we have here on the ground,” Williams said. “It helps build their confidence and reassures them that we are going to stand by them as an ally.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day as dedicated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to promote empowerment through literacy across the globe.
“The base of any culture is being able to read, write, and communicate with each other,” Williams said. “It is essential to promote this across all cultures, at every level.”
From multinational training exercises to parades and literacy events, Soldiers of 3-69 AR continue to reassure Polish allies and work to strengthen the NATO bond within the region.
“These small gestures go a long way in strengthening the bond between us,” Williams said.
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2016 04:30 |
| Story ID: | 208898 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Polish literacy day: 3-69 AR strengthens bonds in the community, by Lauren Harrah, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT