Viper Soldier reunites with Latvian host mom

Photo By Capt. Lisabeth Quinn | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dean LaGattuta, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, as a cadet on Easter 2019 with his host mom Irina in Daugavpils, Latvia. LaGattuta visited his former teachers and host family following the completion of exercise Saber Strike 22. 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, provides the U.S. Army Europe and Africa with a ready and lethal combat aviation force, capable of rapidly projecting forces across the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility in support of designated plans to assure Allies and Partners, deter aggression, and if necessary, defeat near-peer adversaries. (Photo provided by Irina)  

LATVIA

04.13.2022

Story by 1st Lt. Lisabeth Quinn 

12th Combat Aviation Brigade

Lielvarde Air Base, LATVIA – "Words cannot properly express my gratitude for my leadership for supporting this reunion," said 1st Lt. Dean LaGattuta, an intelligence officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-3rd Attack "Viper" Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. "For the Army for giving me a second family that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

As a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, LaGattuta studied abroad in Daugavpils, Latvia, through Learn Russia in the EU, an immersive program that pairs students with a host family in "the most Russian city in the European Union." Students in the program take courses in the Russian language and may select from over an additional 90 other university courses offered by the program, including political science, economics, and math, all of which are taught exclusively in Russian.

"Daugavpils cultural immersion impacts the program's success because the city's language is Russian," said Sergey Simonov, director of Learn Russia in the EU.

Consequently, Daugavpils encourages students to practice and master their Russian language skills as they live in the city.

"When academies allow them to study abroad, we tell them it will change their lives," stated Simonov.

According to Simonov, the program's relationship with training service members dates back to 2009, with a student from the U.S. Army Reserve and has grown to include students from U.S. service academies and the Defense Language Institute (DLI). LaGattuta participated in the program back in 2019, the sixth year USMA cadets had the opportunity to study in Daugavpils, Latvia.

"The most learning you do is with your host family," said LaGattuta before paying a visit to his host mom.

What started as a way to fill the void after Irina's son moved abroad has led to the hosting of 23 students through the years. From the moment she opened her door to see LaGattuta holding flowers and Girl Scout cookies, it was clear that they had formed a close bond that continues to this day.

They spent the afternoon sharing a meal of his favorite dishes that she had prepared and reminiscing not just about the time spent together during his study abroad but everything that has happened since. Like any proud mother, she showed us photos of LaGattuta and the other cadets she has hosted through the years.

After much laughter and tearful hugs, we returned to the school so LaGattuta could share his experience in the program with the current students and meet with his former teachers Larisa and Alyona, who consider themselves "privileged to teach American cadets." Both Larisa and Alyona have taught every U.S. cadet who has attended the program.

"The U.S. Army has provided me with numerous memorable experiences," said LaGattuta. "I studied in Daugavpils and met my host mom because of the Army. Having this reunion today is one of the most meaningful of the plethora of memorable experiences."

12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

For individuals interested in experiencing this unique study abroad opportunity, more information about the program is available at www.LearnRussiaInEU.com.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2022
• Date Posted: 04.29.2022 09:20
• Story ID: 419288
• Location: LV