Dragoon Ride

The US army´s  2nd Cavalry Regiment called the Dragoons has been travelling through Europe on their 1800 kilometres long journey, showing the united front of NATO against the Crimea and the separatists in the East of Ukrain. The soldiers with armoured vehicles rode through Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic with the final stop in German Vilseck as part of the Atlantic Resolve. They have been meeting with friendly crowds counting thousands of people on each part of the way, as they had a chance to display their armoury and talk to normal people.

They were travelling to Prague on D5 with people waving at them from the bridges and showing support in every smaller town. There were 3000 soldiers prepared to settle in Latvia, and about 500 going to Vilseck. We have seen those in Prague´s Ruzyně Barracks on 31^st March 2015.

The weather has been changing from bad to worse to good all day long, but it got sunny by the time I arrived. The bus transportation collapsed on Dejvická station, as there were enormous crowds of people going in the same direction. Many had to stay waiting on the stations as we were passing them by and leaving them behind. The whole area by the barracks was already swarming with people of all possible generations. The bands were already playing on stage and you could see young soldiers in the crowds, walking among us in hundreds, scattered around. They were standing by the main entrance as well, so that people had a chance to take some photographs and selfies, and as you went further into the yard, you could see the hundreds of army vehicles, heavy machinery and trucks. It was unbelievable how many people could fit into such a space. It literally took us at least an hour to get from one corner to another. There was Czech TV station present, probably interviewing some soldiers, who were more than willing to talk, and offered anyone their time. I saw loads of young guys, they could have been just 20 years old, some older. The local folks were giving them supplies of Czech beer, which they gratefully thrust into their trucks. The atmosphere was obviously very welcoming and warm, as all the Czechs were fascinated by their presence and honoured to be in the same place. Many Czechs including my Father remember the Russian invasion in 1968, when they fought in a resistance in the streets of Prague and kept hiding under burning cars. For many this has been a historic jump back with a knowledge that Russia has to remain behind our gates, never re-entering again. The presence of Americans was sort of reassuring gesture where many people proclaimed their feelings of security.

It has been a very nice and exciting day for us and let´s hope these young dudes will stay on our side should we ever need them. This time it´s all positive thinking, let´s stick to that. One of the soldiers on internet said: During my "1836" km drive home the number one thing that sticks out was the Czech veteran who was missing a leg and stood up for our convoy and saluted every last truck that drove by. (Alex Jesus González).