ZAGAN, Poland - It was a welcome visit for U.S. Soldiers as they attended a ceremony to honor their Polish military counterparts in Zagan, Poland.
"During the war, after we captured Berlin, my unit joined up with the Americans," said retired Polish 2nd Lt. Piotr Gubernator, a World War II Veteran. "It is in somewhat different situations, but I remain glad that I see them here again today."
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 82nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and Polish soldiers with the 11th Armored Cavalry Division participated in a ceremony at the Stalag Luft III Prisoner of War Camp and Museum that commemorated the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Zagan, Feb. 16, 2018.
"This was a prime opportunity for our Soldiers to be informed of the rich history in which we currently find ourselves residing in." said Capt. Jason Morehouse, a Moody, Texas native and the commander of Company C, 82nd BEB. "One of our many missions while deployed to Atlantic Resolve is partnering with the nations that we find ourselves in and demonstrating that the American military is here to work with them, learn from them, and be positive members of the community."
The purpose for U.S. Army's attendance at the event was to strengthen the relationship between the Polish and U.S. militaries and to educate U.S. Soldiers on the history and culture of their NATO ally.
Atlantic Resolve is an ongoing mission to demonstrate the United States' commitment to the collective security of Europe through the deployment of rotational U.S. forces in cooperation with NATO allies and partner nations.
"Not only did we get informed, but we got yet another chance to see the Polish and the beautiful support they have for the community," said Morehouse. "The ceremony was spectacular."
The ceremony was in remembrance of the 1945 liberation of the Stammlager Luft III prisoner-of-war camp for allied officers during World War II.
During the ceremony, veterans from the war, and a crowd of Polish families and citizens, paid their respects by presenting wreaths of flowers to the museum.
In addition to the veterans and families, the ceremony hosted a collection of VIPs, such as Daniel Marchewka, the mayor of Zagan, and Polish Col. Zbginiew Markowski, who represented the command group of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division.
"Our Soldiers need to get exposed to more of this," said Sgt. 1st Class James Griffith, the senior enlisted Soldier in Company C, 82nd BEB. "I'm proud that they got to see what their predecessors did and connect with a very significant piece of history."
The event concluded with a speech from the Polish WWII veteran, Gubernator, followed by Polish soldiers conducting a volley fire salute, which is similar to a 21-gun salute.
Griffith, a Denton, Texas native who has helped lead his unit through their nine-month deployment said he and his Soldiers continue to learn from their allies, whether it is through working together to improve interoperability or by sharing history lessons.
"There were things here that I feel like none of us knew and we all benefited by learning," said Griffith.
Much like Gubernator's memories of the Americans, Griffith believes his Soldiers will look back on the ceremony and remember their Polish allies.
"There are certain things that a Soldier remembers," said Griffith. "I think that this is one of those things that my Soldiers will remember 20-30 years from now."
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