Friendship Week strengthens Soldier, KATUSA ties

Published May 8, 2007
By Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich
HHB, 35th ADA

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- As part of the 31st annual KATUSA-U.S. Soldier Friendship Week, soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Air Defense Artillery Unit, stationed here, spent the past week with their Korean Augmentees to the U.S. Army counterparts participating in various activities to learn more about each other and strengthen the bond between the two countries.

The week started off with a jolt as the entire battery completed a three-mile "Friendship Run" around the base here. Soldiers were decked out in the annual KATUSA Friendship T-shirts and baseball caps, as well as the battery T-shirts, as they ran together.

Following the run, events were held throughout the week like putt-putt golf, soccer and basketball games, tug-of-war and trips to see Korean culture and taste traditional food.
Teams for the sporting events were formed of both KATUSA and U.S. Soldiers in order to blend the two cultures together.

"The sports games build teamship," said Pvt. Summer S. Herald, an air defense tactical operations center operator with HHB, 35th ADA.

Because the two cultures don't get a chance to blend during the
average work week, events like these allow Soldiers from both groups to come together and learn from each other.

"It's good so that both cultures get to know each other, other than in the office or in the PT environment," said Staff Sgt. Carlos A. Alicea, the tasking noncommissioned officer for 35th ADA.

One of the trips featured a tour of a Korean folk village where participants viewed an acrobatic show, ate Korean food, watched a traditional wedding ceremony and learned how to play traditional Korean games.

"The village is a great way to understand Korean history and (traditions)," said Pvt. Yoo, Seung Han, a KATUSA Soldier with HHB, 35th ADA.

Other trips included a tour of Seoul that featured the Seoul Tower, a war museum, a walk through a traditional palace and a chance to visit the Ceramic Festival Tour in I Cheon City.

"When you do these events, you get closer on a one-to-one basis," said Staff Sergeant Alicea.

The fun didn't stop with the tours and trips, however. The opening ceremony at Camp Humphreys featured a Tae-kwon-do performance and an acrobatic percussion group that impressed many of the viewers.

"It was full of rhythm and culture and it was the first time I've seen a Korean culture performance since I've been here ... I was impressed," said Spc. Jeff N. Guymon, a signal support systems specialist with HHB, 35th ADA.

Even though none of the teams from HHB, 35th ADA came home with a trophy from the sporting events, many came home with memories of teamwork and a newfound understanding of their coworkers.

"It's a good opportunity for both Koreans and Americans, not just military, but both countries, to strengthen the bond between the two," said Pfc. Lee, Jin Soo, an information management KATUSA soldier with HHB, 35th ADA. "It's a good chance to see different cultures and learn good things."