Poland: For one Soldier, it was once home

Photo By Sgt. Dontavian Harrison | Capt. Jozef Kolek, a chaplain for 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas greets a Soldier at the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland on Mar. 29, 2019. The 2ABCT, 1AD Soldiers are in Poland to test their unit readiness as part of an emergency deployment readiness exercise. About 1,500 Soldiers will deploy to Europe in support of the exercise to test the U.S. Army's ability to rapidly alert, recall, and deploy under emergency conditions. U.S. forces deployed to Europe in support of Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise Dynamic Force Deployment is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe. Through continuous, multinational training and security cooperation activities, the exercise builds readiness, increases interoperability and enhances the bond between ally and partner militaries. (U.S. Army Photo by: Sgt. Dontavian Harrison)  

DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, POLAND

03.30.2019

Story by Sgt. Dontavian Harrison 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

U.S. Army Soldiers deploy often all over the world. Very rarely is there a Soldier that deploys to the country that they were born and raised.

For one Soldier it isn’t a deployment, it is home.

Capt. Jozef Kolek, a chaplain for 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas, was born in Grywald, Poland, just over 500 miles from the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area where he deployed in support of an Emergency Readiness Deployment Exercise with his unit on March 19.

“My family extends both to the United States as well as Poland,” said Kolek. “When I got the news that I was going to deploy to Poland, I could only be proud knowing how far Poland has come since their independence in 1918.”

Kolek commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2015 and has lived in the United States for 11 years. Before that, he was a Polish Nation Catholic Priest.

“Poland had made tremendous progress since its independence,” said Kolek, “and I am very proud to be a Soldier in the United States Army knowing what America has and continues to do for Poland.”

Understanding his heritage and shared history with the United States, gives Kolek a more purposeful meaning for serving in the military.

Since 1989, Polish-American relations has strengthened with Poland being such a stable European ally of the United States, becoming a part of NATO and the European Union.

Kolek’s great grandparents immigrated from Poland to the U.S. in the beginning of the 19th Century.

“When Poland gained their independence after World War I, my ancestors decided to move back,” said Kolek.

Although Poland is where he spent his childhood full of amazing memories, his home is where his wife and children are, the states, said Kolek.

“In seventh grade, it was my dream to buy a Polish-English dictionary,” said Kolek. “That is how I learned English and developed a more profound love for the U.S.”

He had a desire to go to the U.S. to see where his grandmother was born and wanted to attend the SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

“There is something in Polish nature that gives us a respect for the United States because of heroes like Casimir Pulaski who happened to serve in the Continental Army,” said Kolek. “I can easily relate to the values that we find in the U.S. military from our shared history.”

He talks to his family often and understands they are very supportive and excited about the U.S. presence.

“Being in the military is a calling, a unique vocation,” said Kolek. “I look at it as God has called me to serve Soldiers in the capacity of a chaplain.”

• Date Taken: 03.30.2019
• Date Posted: 03.30.2019 04:56
• Story ID: 316284
• Location: DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, PL