White Falcons take on Brazilian allies in friendly soccer game

By Spc. William R. Begley
11th PAD

	Photo by Spc. Jake Marlin/11th PAD A Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, fights for the ball during a soccer game against the Brazilian U.N. forces on March 27. The Soldiers and the Brazilians have worked together conducting security and humanitarian aid missions since the Jan. 12 earthquake.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Brazilian soldiers from 2nd Brazilian Battalion hosted 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division Soldiers to a day of sporting events which included soccer, basketball and tug-of-war at the United Nations BRACC-2 compound March 27.

“The 2nd Brazilian Battalion invited us to come up here and spend the day with them, so we brought our company commanders to visit with their company commanders and our paratroopers to visit with their soldiers,” said Lt. Col. David Doyle, battalion commander, 2nd Bn., 325th AIR, 82nd Abn. Div.

The trash talking started early, with several Brazilians predicting a large upset. And to no one’s surprise, the Brazilians won the soccer game 7-1 as the they showed their mastery by displaying touch, skill, spacing and excellent communication.

“It’s definitely clear which country plays soccer as their national pastime,” Doyle said.
An experienced soccer player, Spc. Eric Skahan, infantryman, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 325th
AIR enjoyed the competition against the Brazilian team.

“It was fun. It was a good experience for those of us who enjoy the game of soccer,” said Skahan.

While the defeat in soccer was somewhat expected, the airborne Soldiers hoped to rebound in the basketball game.

“Our basketball team is pretty much unstoppable,” said Doyle.

Unfortunately, the Brazilians did not have enough players to make a team so the event turned into a pickup game with just a couple of Brazilians playing with the Americans.

The Americans were determined not to leave without a victory. Since their plan to dominate at basketball fell through, that left one event. After a 100-foot long rope was laid out, the tug-of-war event soon got under way. The Brazilian team was out early warming up with their shirts off in an obvious attempt to intimidate the American team.

Though the Brazilian tug-of-war team looked impressive, the American Soldiers showed what they can accomplish when put to the test. Systematically, they defeated the Brazilians with a great show of strength and teamwork.

After the friendly competition was completed, the day ended with a luncheon hosted by the Brazilian soldiers. Although they were rivals earlier in the day on the playing field, the Soldiers relaxed and reflected upon the partnership developed during their cooperative efforts in Haiti.
Additionally, the day was a culmination of a two-week exchange of information between the Brazilian soldiers and Doyle’s team of commanders, said Doyle. The units have been working together distributing food and bringing medical assistance to the people in internally displaced persons camps around Port-Au-Prince.

One Brazilian who sees the great job that the Brazilians and Americans are doing together is Lt. Col. Eduardo Martins, liaison officer, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti’s security force.
Martins said he is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Americans. Martins and MINUSTAH have also been working jointly with Doyle and 2nd Bn., 325th AIR providing security for humanitarian assistance missions.

“For me it’s a great opportunity,” Martins said. “Americans must be proud of the job that they are doing here.”

Doyle considered himself very fortunate to be teamed with the Brazilians.

“The Brazilians served in Haiti before and bring a great level of appreciation for the mission at hand,” he said. “They showed great kindness inviting the Soldiers to their duty station for the day.

“We appreciate their hospitality,” said Doyle. “They have been incredible hosts.”

After a fun day playing soccer in the hot sun, Spc. Logan Blacklock from the 2nd Bn., 325th AIR summed the day up nicely.

“The spread was amazing; the barbecue chicken and rice was excellent,” said Blacklock. “I had a great time playing soccer, watching the tug-of-war, the hospitality was excellent.”