ALYTUS, Lithuania -- It was a great day for a walk. The sun was shining. The temperatures that morning were in the mid-50s and expected to climb to the low 60s by mid-day. Yes. It was a great day for a walk through the countryside.
But, for the 22 Soldiers from 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, this was not a short walk they were about to embark on; it was a long walk, 40 kilometers or just under 25 miles. They did it carrying a 35-pound ruck sack on their backs.
The Soldiers were participating in a ruck march that celebrates the Flag Day of the Grand Duchess Birute; the namesake of their Lithuanian Armed Forces counterparts. Birute was a Fourth Century Duchess who citizens have prayed to for hundreds of years in order to bestow good health and fortune.
"It's a great experience," said Capt. Joel Marbut, commander, Battle Company, 3rd Bn. 69th Arm. Rgmt. "This is farther then most of us have rucked at one time in our entire lives, and we got to do it with our Lithuanian counterparts and the community. It helps us show our support for the local population and to the security of a 'Strong Europe.'
3rd Bn. 69th Arm. Rgmt. has spent the last several months training in Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort being conducted in Eastern Europe to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region. They are scheduled to head back to Fort Stewart later this month.
As they set out on the course, which took them up and down hills, through fields, woods and roads, the words of Command Sgt. Maj. Darios Kolodzeiskis, Iron Wolf Brigade, Lithuanian Armed Forces, echoed in their minds. "Enjoy yourself, look at the beautiful countryside, and have fun."
However, as the walk progressed, the Soldiers dealt with blisters on their feet, and sore legs, and shoulders as well as increasing fatigue.
"I wanted to do this ruck," said Cpl. Gunner Crawford, as he waited for the unit medic to put mole skin over his blisters. "I only have tanker boots with me, so I borrowed a pair of boots to ruck in." After getting patched up, Crawford got up and finished the march with his unit.
Even though they were tired and sore, the Soldiers spirits remained high. They joked and laughed with each other throughout the march and at each check point where they refueled and rested their tired bodies while unit medics checked their feet and made sure they were hydrated.
"Don't hurt yourself. Listen to your body. If you can't continue without hurting yourself; stop. No one will say anything," said Marbut. "Just showing up today says a lot about your character. You guys are the backbone of this unit."
Many of the Soldiers chose to do this ruck march because they wanted to challenge themselves and do one last thing as a group together in Lithuania.
"This is going to be fun," said Pvt. Thomas Bowman before setting out. "It is the last thing we will do in Lithuania before heading home."
Spc. Edison Verly echoed Bowman. "I was motivated to do this by my leadership," he said. "I wanted to prove that I can do this."
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