Polish town welcomes American Soldiers

By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth TarrFebruary 5, 2017

588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
1 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Sean Welch and Sgt. Corbin Welter, both assigned to 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division speaks to a Polish Soldier during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
2 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. William Ennis, a unit supply specialist assigned to 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division looks at a photograph on a phone during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Boles... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
3 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Shantel Glass, company commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and his company stand at parade rest during a celebration ceremony to welcome Am... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
4 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Polish Soldiers assigned to 23rd Field Artillery Regiment stand at parade rest during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
5 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Polish Soldiers assigned to 23rd Field Artillery Regiment look to the right during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec, Poland, Feb. 5. The celebration consisted of traditional American and Polish food, song and danc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
6 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Polish Soldiers assigned to 23rd Field Artillery Regiment stand in formation during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec, Poland, Feb. 5. The celebration was an opportunity for the Polish citizens to welcome the Soldi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
7 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A local citizen holds an American and Polish flag during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec, Poland, Feb. 5. The celebration was an opportunity for the Polish citizens to welcome the Soldiers of 588th Brigade Engine... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
8 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Christopher Norrie, commander of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division gives a speech during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec, Poland, Feb. 5. The celebration was an opportunity for the Polis... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
9 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Polish men share a laugh during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec, Poland, Feb. 5. The celebration was an opportunity for the Polish citizens to welcome the Soldiers of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Arm... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
10 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie Blea, a platoon sergeant assigned to 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry poses for a photograph with a young boy during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesł... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
588th BEB, 4th ID has welcome celebration ceremony
11 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A local citizen holds an American flag and claps during a celebration ceremony to welcome American troops to Bolesławiec, Poland, Feb. 5. The celebration was an opportunity for the Polish citizens to welcome the Soldiers of 588th Brigade Enginee... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BOLESLAWIEC, Poland - The citizens of Poland formally welcomed American Soldiers assigned to 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during a ceremony in the town square here Feb.5, 2017.

The Soldiers arrived in Poland in January to begin back-to-back rotations of armored brigades in Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Col. Christopher Norrie, commander of 3rd ABCT began by thanking the locals for their hospitality and kindness upon the unit's arrival.

"This is yet another example of the very warm welcome that our team has received here and throughout Poland," he said. "On behalf of our entire team, particularly the Soldiers of the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, we give our most sincere thanks for your generosity and friendship."

The ceremony was a celebration, which included song and dance performances by American Soldiers, Polish children performing traditional dances, a physical fitness competition, and displays of U.S. and Polish vehicles and equipment. The highlight of the day was the American-made chili, which garnered a long line and accolades from the Polish citizens.

"This soup is really good," one Polish citizen told a Soldier as he placed the cover over the last of the empty containers.

Lt. Col. George Mitroka, commander of 588th BEB, said the Soldiers of the unit had been working on this event for the past two weeks. "I really appreciate the hard work the Soldiers and the community put forth with helping us to achieve such a successful event."

Mitroka recently took command of the 588th and says his battalion spent six-months prior to this rotation preparing to adequately support the brigade's ability to continue the fight. The unit, which consists of not only engineers, but military intelligence, chemical, communication and medical personnel as well "are the enablers for the brigade," he said.

This rotation will enhance deterrence capabilities in the region, improve the U.S. ability to respond to potential crises and defend allies and partners in the European community. U.S. forces will focus on strengthening capabilities and sustaining readiness through bilateral and multinational training and exercises.

"The formation before you stands as a visible and credible expression of the American commitment to you, our friends and allies," said Norrie. "This greater collection of Polish and American Soldiers stand together and reflect an even more powerful idea that there are things in this world worth defending and the best way to prevent a war is to prepare for it."

Iron Brigade is currently in the process of moving Soldiers and equipment to Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. The 588th will have Soldiers represented in all of these countries.

"Our onward movement of our team strengthens our resolve across all of Eastern Europe in an effort to deter any acts of aggression against Poland and our other NATO allies," said Norrie.