MALACKY AIR BASE, Slovak Republic - As the Soldiers filed into the small chapel and took their seats on the wooden pughs, a respectful silence filled the air. Despite the different nations represented on the uniforms of the Soldiers, each ally represented united values and interests.
Soldiers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, currently stationed in Vilseck, Germany, joined their Slovak counterparts while attending a Catholic mass service to recognize the Slovak holiday, the Feast of our Lady of Seven Sorrows, Malacky Air Base, Slovak Republic, during the combined training exercise Dragoon Crossing, as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, September 15.
"A large percentage of our Soldiers are Catholic, so this opportunity today to attend this mass allowed them to celebrate their faith despite being far from home," said Cpt. Brandt Klawitter, squadron chaplain for 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and a native of Hermann, Missouri.
Dragoon Crossing united Soldiers from thousands of miles away from one another to join as a united front dedicated to strengthening both personal and national relationships of every country involved. This commitment to the stability and peace of the region further strengthens both NATO and Europe.
Through this opportunity, the U.S. Soldiers, both Catholic and non-Catholic, were able to experience and appreciate an important aspect of the Slovak culture provided by our host nation," said Klawitter.
The service, officiated by Slavko Ganaj, a Slovak military chaplain, and a native of Humenne, Slovakia, provided the Soldiers from both nations with an opportunity to enhance NATO interoperability, build good will and camaraderie with their fellow allies in the Slovak Republic.
"One of the themes of Dragoon Crossing is interoperability, and one way we can experience interoperability is through assisting with the American and Slovak Soldiers' spiritual needs during combined exercises," said Klawitter.
Interoperability amongst allies can be built in various ways, sometimes in ways that aren't only live fire exercises or experiences gained only in the field or in the back of a military vehicle. Soldiers learned during the service that interoperability amongst new friends can also be founded by sharing a moment of silence in respect for a shared value or interest.
"This is a once in a lifetime experience for our Soldiers attending today," said Klawitter. "It's great seeing how excited they are to celebrate their faith despite being in a foreign country, and to find that they can celebrate a shared interest with their friends in the Slovak Republic."
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