U.S. paratroopers, Polish hosts remember 9/11 with friendly soccer match

By Capt. Fernando OchoaSeptember 15, 2014

US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Matthew McCarthy (left), commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and Drawsko Pomorskie Mayor Zbigniew Ptak pose for a photo with identical trophies in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Sept. 11, 2014. The s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A 173rd Airborne Brigade paratrooper advances for the soccer ball against a player of Team Drawa of Drawsko Pomorskie during a game honoring the victims of the 9/11 in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Sept. 11, 2014. The 173rd Airborne Brigade has partnere... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade soccer team shake hands with players of Team Drawa of Drawsko Pomorskie prior to a friendly soccer match between the teams in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Sept. 11, 2014. The soccer match was part of series of... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade render a salute during the U.S. national anthem before their game against Team Drawa of Drawsko Pomorskie, in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Sept. 11, 2014. The soccer game was a friendly match between members o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Matthew McCarthy (center), commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and the mayor of Drawsko Pomorskie, Zbigniew Ptak (center right), walk onto the field with youth soccer players before a soccer game... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – On account of both English and Polish speakers in attendance, Gregory Skurczynski (center)a Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, native, and master of ceremony, translates a speech given by the mayor of Drawsko Pomorskie, Zbigniew Ptak (right), before a soccer... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
US paratroopers and Polish hosts remember 9/11 with a soccer match
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade gather in a circle before their game against Team Drawa of Drawsko Pomorskie, in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Sept. 11, 2014. The 173rd Airborne Brigade has partnered with local teachers, fire fighters, vetera... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DRAWSKO POMORSKIE, Poland (Sept. 12, 2014) -- The 173rd Airborne Brigade squared off against a team of local players in a friendly match before hundreds of local residents and American Soldiers at the Walerina Pytla City Stadium here, yesterday.

Drawsko Pomorskie Mayor Zbigniew Ptak chose to host a soccer game on the thirteenth anniversary of 9/11 to remember those who lost their lives that day, as well as the Polish and American service members who have since lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"On Sept. 11, 2001, when the United States was attacked on that tragic day the Polish people felt your pain," said Mayor Ptak. "During those attacks, the Polish people also died. We will always stand by you and today we make that bond even stronger."

These two nations have come together during Operation Atlantic Resolve, where the 173rd Airborne Brigade has maintained a company deployed forward here since April, to reassure the United States' NATO allies, and to build interoperability with 173rd Airborne Brigade's host and sister brigade, the 6th Polish Airborne Brigade. They are also joined in Poland by a company from the Royal Canadian Regiment for combined training.

"Today, we remember those men, women and children lost in the attacks of September 11th, and we honor the Polish and American service members who have given their lives in Afghanistan and in Iraq," said Capt. Matthew McCarthy, a Deerfield, Illinois, native, and commander of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, in remarks to the crowd before the game. "This day, September 11th, will always be an important day to Americans and our allies."

Good defense and passes made it a close game, but the Poles finally scored in the 29th minute. By halftime, the Polish were winning three to zero. The city of Drawsko Pomorskie presented a half time show featuring the Mlodziezowa Youth Brass Band and a demonstration by a local karate school.

The second half stared slow, but with a spark of enthusiasm the American side scored four unanswered goals. Despite this rally, the Poles prevailed seven to four.

"Being the guest, we let them win," joked Sgt. Torbin Reedstrom, a Cary, North Carolina, native and section leader in Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. He also served as captain of the U.S. team.

"By losing, we really won," he said with a smile.

Related Links:

173rd paratroopers arrive in Poland, Baltics for unscheduled exercises

US and Polish forces showcase alliance for local Polish children

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