Torun, Poland. (December 25, 2024): Like thousands of deployed U.S. servicemembers, the Soldiers with the 82nd Field Artillery Regiment will celebrate New Years with their host nation. In this photo by Sergeant Jacob Nunnenkamp, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Mcdonough, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment commander, and his counterpart with the Polish Land Forces Major Alistair Fider pose for a family photo with Polish K9 artillerymen during the holidays.

The first thing American troops realize is that everyone does not celebrate the New Year like we do. In Poland, New Years Eve is called "Sylwester" and is celebrated with large, festive gatherings including dancing, fireworks, live music, and lots of food. In fact, food seems to be at the heart of most New Years welcoming’s and almost all are related to hopes for good luck.

In Poland, that food is the pickled herring which is believed to attract wealth. The fish’s shiny scales are thought to resemble coins hence the promise of financial success. Superstition holds that eating pickled herring at midnight is believed to bring a family good fortune in the coming year. Poles also consume opłatek, a kind of wafer, and make special meals that are supposed to bring good luck. During New Year’s Eve or Christmas Eve, people break this wafer with each other while offering good wishes.

Other cultures where food takes center stage during New Years celebrations include Spanish, French, and the Irish. In Spain, it is customary to eat twelve grapes or raisins at midnight, one for each of the chimes of the clock. The French ring in the New Year by consuming an enormous stack of pancakes while the Irish have a tradition of banging the outside walls of their houses with bread to keep away bad luck and evil spirits.

Regardless of where they are posted, American troops get the chance to experience the local customs and celebrations of their hosts while creating memories that last a lifetime.