NOWA DEBA, Poland - A festive-music-filled atmosphere and the inviting smells of summer, with kids playing in the spray of water from a repurposed fire hose, set the scene for a community meet-and-greet hosted by the Soldiers of P Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Aug. 5, on the town square here.
Hundreds of people from the town and surrounding area got the opportunity to learn about the troopers and their equipment, as they were invited to meet their new neighbors.
The American Soldiers have been here training with elements of the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing multinational partnership focused on combined training and security cooperation between NATO allies.
The troopers brought different variants of their Stryker armored vehicles as well a their specialized equipment.
For the Soldiers it was a chance to meet with the community members and perhaps make a few friends along the way, as children with big smiles, tried on the protective equipment the Soldiers wear.
Pfc. Desmond Lee, an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, said it was a really rewarding experience for him, as he was able to interact with members of the community.
"It's a nice experience to get hands-on with the community, and show them that we're here to serve them," said Lee. "They were having fun looking at our vehicles, and putting on our protective vests."
One such local teenager bubbled with excitement from her experience with the Soldiers and the static display.
"There are only pluses with the Soldiers being here, and if they could stay here the entire time it would be great," she said. "I'm a student at a military school, and just being able to see the different militaries' equipment and uniforms makes me very excited to have these Soldiers here."
Capt. Kaleb Blankenship, commander of P Troop, said the support from the local community was evident by the large crowds that showed up for the event.
"They showed up en masse," said Blankenship. "Kids were excited to get up on the Strykers, parents were excited to see their kids interacting with the Soldiers and take pictures with them."
Blankenship said the reception of the U.S. Soldiers training in Nowa Deba has been positive, and he feels his troopers have been good ambassadors of the U.S., by demonstrating America's ongoing commitment and support to the people of Poland.
"I've been told nothing but great things about the way our Soldiers have conducted themselves in the community, and our presence here is a reminder to the local citizens of our commitment to Poland and all of our NATO allies."
The Soldiers of P Troop will be moving to their next training location in the next week, where they will once again have the opportunity to be ambassadors of America's commitment to these local communities.
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