Dutch Squadron celebrates national holiday

By Staff Sgt. Tony Foster, Division West Public AffairsMay 5, 2015

Dutch Squadron celebrates national holiday
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Emco Jellema, center, 302nd Squadron, Royal Netherlands commander, raises a drink to toast Dutch King William Alexander at the beginning of King's Day, at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area April 25. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Foster, Divisi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Dutch Squadron celebrates national holiday
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 302nd Squadron, Royal Netherlands, with their partner organization, Division West's 166th Aviation Brigade, enjoy the Dutch national holiday, King's Day, at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area April 25. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Foster, Division ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BELTON, Texas -- The Royal Netherlands' 302nd Squadron held their King's Birthday celebration at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area, April 25.

King's Day is a holiday held in the Netherlands in which Dutch citizens wear their national color, orange, and engage in a day of festivities and fun for friends and family.

"Today here at BLORA we are celebrating the birth of our king, William Alexander," said Maj. Larry Hammers, 302nd Sqdn. executive officer. "This is how we celebrate in the Netherlands and we are enjoying doing it here in Texas with our families."

Hammers didn't neglect to mention Division West's 166th Aviation Brigade, who recently received operational command of the Dutch airmen on Fort Hood when the the 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) deactivated during March.

"We also invite our neighbors," Hammers added. "We want to enjoy this day with our partnerships as well."

The Grey Wing command team, Col. Christopher Albus and Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Bailey -- also dawning orange for the occasion -- had only the very best words for their Dutch partners.

"I think it's a great day to build a team and camaraderie with our new Dutch unit here and to recognize one of their important national holidays," said Albus.

Bailey followed adding comments about the cohesion between the two units.

"I think we're off to a great start," Bailey said. "The relationship we have is very strong and it's really neat to be able to work in this joint environment and help establish relationships with our allies."

As children played traditional Dutch games, adults engaged in laughter and merrymaking, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rob de Graap, 302nd Sqdn. loadmaster instructor and the event's DJ, made sure the celebration stayed lively and had a touch of Dutch revelry.

"The King's Day for us Dutch people is very famous. It's a lot of partying all day," said de Graap. "We're trying to do it the same here."

Maj. Gen. Kendall P. Cox, III Corps deputy commanding general, commented on the relationship between the two nation's military forces as he enjoyed the orange party and conversations with Lt. Col. Emco Jellema, 302nd Sqdn. commander.

"Our relationship with the Dutch began years ago," said Cox. "The 21st Cavalry Brigade has had oversight for the past few years and now 166th Aviation Brigade is at the helm.

"They share this celebration with us here in America and it's wonderful," Cox continued. "It's a great opportunity for the 302nd Sqdn. to celebrate their king's birthday."

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