From riding in a Polish BMP infantry fighting vehicle to firing Polish small arms, the "Dark Knights" of Company D, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on a training rotation in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, have taken every opportunity to train with their allies. The Soldiers have learned about how the Polish army operates and what tools they use to get the job done.
Being able to see the history of the Polish army firsthand helps put things in perspective for the Dark Knights who visited the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 13.
The visit is part of a cultural trip which will include participation in the Polish Armed Forces Day Parade and celebration throughout the capital on Monday.
"We are going out to explore some of the city but primarily we are here to check out the Polish Army Museum today," said 1st Lt. Brett Lamarca, executive officer, D Co., 3-69 AR. "There is a lot of history here about the Polish military, dating back hundreds if not thousands of years in some cases, so it gives us a much better perspective of what our our allies or partners have gone through."
The Polish Army Museum, founded in 1920, encompasses a vast collection of items including medieval armor, weapons, aircrafts, equipment, uniforms, and personal effects dating as far back as the 1400s.
"They are a very proud and patriotic military," said Sgt. Craig Bragg, signal support systems sergeant, D Co., 3-69 AR. "They are very resilient and they really have had a presence in many of the major conflicts throughout the world. It has been an enjoyable experience thus far."
While exploring Warsaw's history and preparing for the parade, the Soldiers have gained a much better appreciation for not only the military aspect of being here but also an appreciation for the people, the culture, and the country as a whole, explained Lamarca.
"I've been able to see the city's history," said Spc. Chelsea Perez, medic, D Co., 3-69 AR. "Knowing a lot of it was demolished during World War II and then rebuilt, it's interesting to see how that history has been integrated into the city they have now."
As the D Co. Soldiers take some time to appreciate the past, they are looking forward to concluding their trip to Warsaw marching alongside their allies.
"We are happy to be here working side-by-side with our Polish comrades and are excited to take part in the festivities on Monday," Lamarca said.
---
U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.
Social Sharing