MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania — The Romanian Land Forces (RoLF) hosted a gift giving Christmas event on Dec. 19, where they delivered gifts to Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to reinforce the partnership between RoLF and the 101st and increase the morale of the forward deployed service members. The senior Romanian in charge of ROU postal services provided information for Soldiers to send and receive packages during the holiday season.
“We try to make your winter holiday season more beautiful,” said Romanian Brig. Gen. Bixi-Pompiliu Mocanu. “We try to bring some traditional Romanian products that we have on the Christmas table.”
The Romanian community shared their traditions with U.S. Army Soldiers to spread holiday joy. The U.S. Soldiers are currently in Romania to enforce the security of Europe's eastern flank while increasing ties to Romanian allies.
“It’s a bunch of snacks and goodies that will really help us get through the holiday season,” said Pfc. Cooper Tackett of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as he opened the first gift of the holiday season.
Soldiers passed out and opened their gifts together while the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) band played Christmas music for all in attendance.
“We just want to thank you, our great partners and allies for making us feel at home so far away from our families on Christmas,” said Col. Ricardo Turner, the division plans and operations officer for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
To thank the Soldiers, the gifts given included several different traditional Romanian food items eaten around the holiday season, as well as letters written by Romanian children, wishing them a happy holiday season so far away from their homes.
“We look at the bonds that we have made while deployed over the last few months here and this is just another sign of our great friendship and partnership,” Turner added.
The U.S. Army continues to build a strong partnership with our NATO allies in Romania in order to solidify our union, especially during the holiday season.
Learn more about the U.S. Army's mission in Europe
Follow the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) on Facebook
Social Sharing