MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Wounded Danish soldiers and Marines with Wounded Warrior Battalion – East came together for a luncheon and two days full of competition and bonding on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Sept. 12 and 13.
"Over the past 48 hours we had the distinguished pleasure of having the Danish army wounded warriors to come and visit us at Wounded Warrior Battalion – East," said Sgt. Maj. Edward D. Parsons, command sergeant major for Wounded Warrior Battalion – East. "I was humbled to see our Danish brothers and sisters participate in sports, and to see their faces light up and see the camaraderie and the sense of family they brought with them."
Although the Danish wounded warriors arrived under storm clouds and rainy weather, they were all smiles and laughter as they greeted the Marines that they would bond with.
"Although 48 hours seems like a short period of time, we bonded instantly," said Parsons. "It was a very special moment to have with the Danish soldiers to not only provide closure for our Danish soldiers, but for some of our Marines and for me to see us together having a great time."
Marines with WWBn – East and the Danish soldiers competed in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball at the Wallace Creek Fitness Center and engaged in archery and pistol events at Stone Bay on Camp Lejeune during the duration of their visit, playing on teams with each other in friendly competition.
"It was awesome to watch them compete," said Parsons. "We went out to the range and that’s when the universal language of rounds going down range came into play, and their sense of competition was tremendous."
After the range, they headed back to Wounded Warrior Battalion – East to present the Danish army soldiers with certificates of appreciation and recognize the high shooters from the pistol competition on Stone Bay.
"We loved having the Danish soldiers here," said Parsons. "We look forward to their next trip back out to WWBn – East, and if nowhere else, I look forward to seeing them on the battlefield."