Soldiers, Koreans strengthen ties on soccer field

  • Published
  • By Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich
  • 35th ADA HHB
PYEONGTAEK CITY, Republic of Korea --  Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stationed here, competed in the first annual Korea-U.S. Military Forces and Government Friendship Soccer Tournament at the Pyeongtaek Public Stadium on Sept. 21. 

The tournament featured teams from Pyeongtaek City Hall, Pyeongtaek Police Department, Republic of Korea 169th Infantry Regiment and HHB 35th ADA BDE. 

During the first match, the 35th ADA BDE team played against the Pyeongtaek City Hall team. Despite the defensive efforts of the officers, enlisted and Korean Augmentees to the U.S. Army soldiers comprising the 35th ADA Brigade Team, they suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of the older, more experienced Pyeongtaek City Hall team. 

"The Korean team was way more skilled than we were," said Pfc. Clinton A. Smith, a signal support systems specialist with 35th ADA BDE. "They were very quick despite their apparent age." 

Following the tied game between the ROK 169th Infantry Regiment and the Pyeongtaek Police Station, the 35th ADA BDE soldiers were invited back onto the field to join with their Korean military counterparts to form a combined military team. The ROK-US military team played a friendly scrimmage match against the ROK combined City Hall and Police Station Government team. 

"It was interesting playing alongside the Koreans because there was a communication barrier, but it was still really fun," said Pfc. Smith. 

Despite the language barrier, the Soldiers assisted the ROK military team in scoring two goals, tying the game 2-2. 

"One of the great benefits of playing sports is that it unites people and brings us closer together both on and off the soccer field," said Col. James H. Dickinson, 35th ADA BDE commander. The 35th ADA BDE works closely with Pyeongtaek civilians, and it's important to keep close ties between the two because both work to protect and better the local community. 

"We're learning how to be a team," said Pvt. Theresa S. Acfalle, a human resource specialist with HHB 35th ADA BDE and a spectator at the event. 

The entire community relations event helped to show the Soldiers how both groups are a team because they had to work together on the field. 

"Another great benefit of playing sports together is that both civilian and military personnel will realize that we are not separate in our goals in serving our fellow nations, but a group of people who benefit when we work together in achieving these common goals," said Colonel Dickinson. 

The tournament ended with a catered buffet of traditional Korea food for the players and spectators with music provided by a ROK military band. 

Even though an overall winner was not declared, the true victory was a tournament bringing two different cultures together in a friendly contest.