U.S. Army Europe: Dagger Brigade Soldiers Visit Polish Cadets at Local School

By Spc. Dustin BivenMarch 6, 2018

U.S. Army Europe: 2nd ABCT, 1st ID Soldiers visit Cadets at Rzepin School
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Kevin Johnson, (right) a human resource specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, views a cell phone video shared by a high school cadet at a school in Rzep... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe: 2nd ABCT, 1st ID Soldiers visit Cadets at Rzepin School
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadet Julianna Fedorowicz (center) tries an American MRE (Meals, Ready-To-Eat) for the first time during a class visit with U.S. Soldiers on Jan. 15, 2018 at a school in Rzepin, Poland. The purpose of the visit was to give the cadets the opportunity ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe: 2nd ABCT, 1st ID Soldiers visit Cadets at Rzepin School
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Kevin Freeman (right), a human resource specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, shows Polish high school cadets at a local school in Rzepin, Poland some o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe: 2nd ABCT, 1st ID Soldiers visit Cadets at Rzepin School
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Jevon Swan, a petroleum supply specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, answers the questions of high school cadets at a school in Rzepin, Poland on Jan. 1... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe: 2nd ABCT, 1st ID Soldiers visit Cadets at Rzepin School
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Soldier assigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, showed cadets at a school in Rzepin, Poland step-by-step how to properly prepare a Meals, Ready-To-Eat on Jan. 15, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Zagan, Poland - U.S. Soldiers from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, met Polish military cadets at a local school in Rzepin, Poland on Jan. 15, 2018 in an effort to continue building upon Polish-U.S. relations.

U.S. Soldiers sat at tables throughout a room in the school answering a wide variety of questions from cadets, who sought to learn more.

"It was great being able to meet with the cadets," said Sgt. Demetri Richardson, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd ABCT. "They had a lot of great questions."

Though shy at first, through conversation, the cadets began sharing smiles and laughter with the Soldiers of 2nd ABCT.

"They asked about the day-to-day activities of a Soldier, what my hobbies were and even my favorite music," said Richardson. "I feel like not only did they get something out of our visit, but we did too. I loved it and I look forward to being able to do it again."

After the cadets finished asking the Soldiers questions and learning about the United States' mission in Poland, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Craig A. Copridge, command sergeant major of the Dagger Brigade, showed the cadets step-by-step how to properly prepare a Meal, Ready-To-Eat (MRE).

Julianna Fedorowicz, a 16 year-old cadet at the school, volunteered first and tried the MRE.

"It was actually really good," said Fedorowicz when asked how she enjoyed the MRE. "It was great to meet with the U.S. military, they were all so kind, and I learned a lot talking with them."

Ewa Winiarczyk, principal of the school, helped arrange the visit between the cadets and the U.S. military to help the students learn firsthand what the U.S. is doing in Poland.

"While teaching our cadets about the military, a visit like today is a great opportunity," said Winiarczyk. "We want our cadets to learn why the U.S. is in Poland and what it is they are doing here to help. This is our first time having the U.S. visit the school, but we look forward to many more."

Cadets were able to learn more about the U.S. military's presence in Poland and the United States' commitment to providing collective security and America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.