2ID celebrates KATUSA Friendship Week with food exchange

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo | 2nd Infantry Division Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division Soldiers and Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) held a food culture exchange at Balboni Field, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, May 2. The food culture exchange was held as part of the ongoing celebration of KATUSA-U.S. Friendship Week. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo, 2ID/RUCD Public Affairs)  

PYEONGTAEK-SI, SOUTH KOREA

05.02.2019

Story by Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo 

2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division

CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – U.S. Army Soldiers and Korean Augmentation to United States Army participated in a food culture exchange at Balboni Field here, May 2.
Standing side by side, ROK and U.S. Army senior leadership served traditional Korean cuisine to their Soldiers.
“It’s always been part of our ethos that as a leader, it’s the mission first, people always,” said Col. Andy Morgado, chief of staff, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division. “You’re not going to accomplish your mission unless you take care of your people, and if you take care of your people, they’re going to take care of you.”
The interpersonal nature of the event helped foster an environment of trust and support between U.S. and ROK Soldiers.
“I love the cohesion, everybody is just so friendly, there’s no bad blood between anyone,” said Sgt. Cameron Williams, heavy vehicle operator, headquarters and headquarters battalion, 2ID/RUCD. “We’re always going to be supportive of them one hundred percent and make sure they’re taken care of. We all trust each other to have each other’s back at the end of the day.”
The food culture exchange was held as part of the ongoing celebration of KATUSA-U.S. Friendship Week, an annual week-long event focused on forging stronger bonds and exchanging cultural values between the U.S. and ROK’s military forces.
“I’m just absolutely impressed by the determination, work ethic and spirit of the Korean people,” said Morgado. “They’re absolutely inspirational. They’ve overcome a lot of adversity over time to become the strong enriched nation that they are today.”

• Date Taken: 05.02.2019
• Date Posted: 05.09.2019 01:59
• Story ID: 321521
• Location: PYEONGTAEK-SI, KR