Photo By Sgt. Devin Klecan | MARTIN, Slovakia - Jan Kriska, left, a member of Rotary International Club Martin, and...... read more read more
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MARTIN, Slovakia - Local community leaders representing the International Rotary Club Martin invited U.S. Army V Corps Civil Affairs Soldiers from Camp Kosciuszko, Poland, to a Thanksgiving event to further promote, understand and celebrate the holiday and culture, Nov. 23-25.
Rotary International is a non-political and non-religious humanitarian service organization that helps others, promotes integrity, and advocates for global understanding through community entrepreneurs and leaders from multiple industries and community sectors. Though there are 46,000 clubs around the world, they all organize projects in six focus areas: peace work, disease control, water and hygiene problems, care for mother and child, educational support, economic development and environmental protection.
“Our club in Martin has about 26 members, and we are trying our best to support the community. Now, this year, all projects are supporting the Ukraine crisis,” said Chief of International Rotary Club Martin Peter Ondecko, a born and raised member of the Martin community.
Ondecko, like many guests at the dinner, has close ties with family members currently living in the United States.
“This feast was prepared in about three weeks, and some people involved in this came from all parts of Slovakia and some from Poland,” said Ondecko. “Nobody is counting hours, because our aim is to have you [U.S. Army] here and to enjoy business.”
U.S. Army Civil Affairs representatives have attended holiday events hosted in Slovakia before, with V Corps’ participation this year supporting the U.S., Slovakia, and NATO connection.
V Corps Capt. Robert Pavlovic, a civil affairs officer assigned to 418th Civil Affairs Battalion based out of Belton, Missouri, met members of the Martin community for the first time in 2019 and has maintained a strong connection ever since.
“Lots of members of the Martin, Slovak community have family relations with the United States. Some of the locals are married to Americans. A few years back, when families were coming home for the holidays, Americans couldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, so the community decided to organize a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Pavlovic. “In 2019, the community invited our civil affairs team, and now this year, they invited us again.”
Due to Pavlovic’s established relationship with the residence of Martin, he was specifically invited to attend the dinner again this year, with emphasis put on a larger invitation; one that invites his V Corps civil affairs team and co-workers.
“For us, it’s a great, great pleasure,” said Ondecko. “We appreciate it because we feel the support of U.S. Soldiers here, and because of that we feel safer. Also, we are happy that since you [U.S. Soldiers] are away from your home, from your families, you can enjoy this Thanksgiving with us. And we are happy to be with you here.”
Not only were members of International Rotary Club Martin present, but members and their friends and families from rotary clubs originating from other cities such as Žilina, Liptovský, Mikuláš, and Košice.
“Events like this are of historic significance for long lasting Slovak and U.S. relationships. Efforts by Slovak civilian communities and leadership to improve and engage with American Forces stationed in Slovakia speaks volumes of their respect and appreciation of our Soldiers,” said Pavlovic. “All future possibilities to interact with people of Slovakia have to be embraced with open arms and readiness to exchange information, knowledge, and culture. Mutual projects and events between Slovakians and the U.S. Army leave long lasting memories and improve positive perception of our presence and good will.”
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2022 08:40 |
| Story ID: | 434195 |
| Location: | MARTIN, SK |
| Hometown: | BELTON, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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