BOLESLAWIEC, Poland – The overcast day created the perfect weather for U.S. Army and Polish Land Forces Soldiers to celebrate the 243rd Army Birthday together at the Polish Land Forces base in Boleslawiec, Poland, June 14, 2018.
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Atlantic Resolve 2018-2019, 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Combat Brigade Team, 1st Calvary Division; Resolute Castle 2018, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; and to Company B, 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, both with the South Carolina National Guard, participated in a base-wide run, field events and a cake cutting ceremony with soldiers assigned to the 23rd Artillery Brigade, Polish Land Forces.
“It took a lot of coordination with our allied partners,” said 2nd Lt. Peter Grieco, the assistant operations officers assigned to the 91st EN BN. “We are celebrating who we are as a team.”
Grieco met with Maj. Jacob Wolynski, the chief of physical education and sports section, 23rd ARTY BDE, Polish Land Forces, for three weeks to plan the field and ceremonial events.
“I absolutely support the U.S. Army holiday to compete with Polish soldiers,” said Wolynski. “We met together to set up the events, reconnoitered the facilities, and establish the rules of the events.”
Approximately 150 Soldiers participated in the events, starting with a 2.4-mile run throughout the base.
For the field events, the U.S. Soldiers introduced ultimate football to the Polish, who used rugby style tactics on their opponent, with the U.S. Soldiers winning 15 to 8.
“The Polish got used to the game,” said Lt. Col. Matt Rogers, the battalion commander with the 91st EN BN, speaking of ultimate football. “They play rugby and used a short game.”
During the second field event, the Polish soldiers proved worthy of their knowledge of soccer, beating the U.S. Soldiers 6 to 0.
Confidence was high for both teams by the third event, the 4x400 relay.
The Polish were in the lead for the first leg of the 4x400 relay but fell slightly behind during the second. However, the Polish team pulled ahead during the third leg, giving the final runner the advantage to win the race. The 91st EN BN came in second with Co. B, 151st ESC placing third.
By the final field event it was clear that the Polish soldiers had strategized each event with athletes that best fit the sport.
After beating the U.S. Soldier assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 91st EN BN, the brawny Polish soldiers were able to take down the team represented by Company E, Forward Support Company, 91st EN BN.
Additionally, an impromptu tug of war match between the female Soldiers assigned to the 91st EN BN and Co. B, 151st ESC took place with the 91st EN BN winning the match.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday and introduce the holiday to Polish soldiers,” said Wolynski. “My soldiers were very excited to take part.”
At the end of the field events, the units reassembled together for closing remarks by Lt. Col. Rogers; Lt. Col. Slawomir Kula, the acting post commander; and the president of Boleslawiec, Piotr Roman. The U.S. and Polish Soldiers concluded the 243rd Army Birthday celebration with a cake cutting ceremony and a steak luncheon.
“It’s good to host an event like this,” said Rogers. “This is the kind of stuff that makes these rotations fun.”