Belgium, nestled between France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, is known for its rich culture, delicious waffles, flawless diamonds and sweet chocolates. It is a founding member of the European Union and is home to the EU's headquarters and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division's, color guard are in Belgium to participate in numerous military ceremonies that will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the country's liberation by Allied Forces during World War II.
Sgt. Samantha Tram, an intelligence analyst and a member of the brigade's color guard team, said she felt fortunate to participate in this special event.
"It's definitely an honor to be able to represent the 1st Inf. Div. going out there," Tram said.
The opportunity was earned by the color guard, which took top honors at this year's Color Guard Competition during Victory Week. The team represented the brigade's Special Troops Battalion.
One of the highlights for the group will be a tour of the Remember Museum, which is privately owned by a Belgian family whose ancestors hid 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers from the Nazis during the German occupation. When the Soldiers departed the area to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, they left quite a bit behind. Those items are currently on display in the museum.
The color guard Soldiers have their work cut out for them as their skill and training will take center stage at various events scheduled for the celebration.
"I take a lot of pride in it," Pfc. Scott Fisher, a fire support specialist, said of the experience. "I didn't realize how much was involved until it started getting closer to the event."
Cpl. Jonathan McDown said getting an opportunity to be a part of something of this magnitude was a privilege.
"I've been a guidon bearer since I got to my first unit over in Italy, but it was just a company-level one," McDown said. "Moving up to something like this … it means a lot to be able to represent a unit at that kind of level … to be a face for it."
This will be the second time this year Big Red One Solders participate in World War II commemorations in Europe. More than 20 from the division spent four days walking in the footsteps of "Big Red One" Soldiers who helped liberate the people of France in what was the beginning of the end of Hitler's campaign of global domination. The Soldiers participated in ceremonies, met and spoke with French citizens of all ages, toured hallowed battlegrounds and let the history of the area tell itself.
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