V Corps Soldiers Attend Constitution Day Ceremonies

Photo By Staff Sgt. Sean Hall | KRAKOW, Poland - Sgt. Maj. Timothy Parnell, operations sergeant major, V Corps (Forward), and Col. John Sandor, acting chief of staff, Defender-Europe 22 combined higher command, V Corps, attend Mass at the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland, May 3, 2022. Parnell and Sandor were invited to Mass as part of the annual Constitution Day celebrations in Krakow. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sean Hall)  

KRAKOW, POLAND

05.03.2022

Story by Sgt. Sean Hall 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

Sgt. Sean Hall
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash.

V Corps Soldiers Attend Constitution Day Ceremonies
U.S. Army story by Sgt. Sean Hall

KRAKOW, Poland – Victory Corps Soldiers witnessed and participated in Poland’s 231st Constitution Day by attending a Mass, parade, and ceremonies at the Wawel Castle and throughout the city center, Tuesday, May 3.

Col. John Sandor, the acting V Corps Defender-Europe 22 combined higher command chief of staff, and Sgt. Maj. Timothy Parnell, forward operations sergeant major, V Corps, were invited by the Polish military to attend Mass at the Wawel Cathedral, march in the parade from the castle to the town square, and participate in wreath laying ceremonies at the Cross of Katyn and the Grunwald Monument.

“The ceremony honoring Polish Constitution Day was amazing. The ability for members of the corps to participate in events like today demonstrates the strength of our partnership with our Polish allies,” said Sandor. “We look to continue to strengthen the partnership as part of the combined high command for Defender-Europe 22."

Approximately 20 Victory Soldiers observed the ceremony and parade at the Grunwald Monument. Many Polish citizens welcomed, shook hands and took photos with the Soldiers.

“V Corps personnel understand that interoperability is contingent upon a strong foundational relationship. Relationships are built, maintained and enhanced through learning, respecting and sharing of cultural events from host nation countries,” said Parnell. “From here, we collectively create a shared understanding and foundational awareness of what is important from our Polish counterparts. Poland's Constitutional Day ceremonies presented a great opportunity to enhance U.S. military and Polish interoperability through enhancing our relationships.”

Constitution Day, a Polish holiday, is a celebration of the declaration of the Polish constitution on May 3, 1791.

V Corps is America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe and works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European theater such as the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, and 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade.

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• Date Taken: 05.03.2022
• Date Posted: 05.09.2022 08:59
• Story ID: 420182
• Location: KRAKOW, PL