A week of unity and celebration in Ukraine

Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough | Col. Elmer Holt, chief of staff of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine and the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, ceremonially cuts the cake while Soldiers with the 45th IBCT celebrate the Fourth of July with a cookout and various athletic events at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, near Yavoriv, Ukraine, on July 4. The 45th IBCT is deployed to Ukraine as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, an international coalition dedicated to improving the CTC's training capacity and building professionalism within the Ukrainian army. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

07.04.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough 

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Americans around the world celebrate Independence Day with food and friends. Deployed to Ukraine, as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, the Thunderbirds of the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are, in this manner, your typical Americans.

Like their friends and families back in the states, the Soldiers celebrated the Fourth of July with a cookout and various sporting events. However, this year’s celebration differed from years past.

It was, in fact, the multinational aspect of their mission that made this year’s celebration significantly more meaningful.

“When we were a young country, many other nations, including some that we are serving with here, came to our aid to make sure we were successful,” said Col. Elmer Holt, the chief of staff of the JMTG-U and the 45th IBCT, during a cake-cutting ceremony. “Now, here we are in Ukraine, training the Ukrainian army, alongside our allies, to make sure they too will be successful.”

The JMTG-U is a coalition of U.S., U.K., Canadian, Polish, Lithuanian, Danish and Ukrainian service members dedicated to professionalizing Ukraine’s army and building the country’s training capacity by establishing a combat training center.

Three days prior, on Jul. 1, Canada celebrated the 150th anniversary of the unification of Canada.

Seven days prior, on Jun 28, Ukraine celebrated its 21st Constitution Day.

In a week when three nations are joined in like-minded celebrations of national unity and freedom, the struggles of a young democracy only help to reaffirm the strength of purpose the U.S. Soldiers bring to their mission in Ukraine.

“You all should be very proud,” Holt said. “You should be proud not only of your service to our country, but also of what you’re doing here for Ukraine and for their army.”

• Date Taken: 07.04.2017
• Date Posted: 07.06.2017 17:53
• Story ID: 240078
• Location: YAVORIV, UA
• Hometown: NORMAN, OK, US
• Hometown: SAND SPRINGS, OK, US
• Hometown: STILLWATER, OK, US
• Hometown: TULSA, OK, US