St. Nicholas Day in Sozopol: U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers observe local Bulgarian tradition
U.S. Army Spc. Shania Woodhurst, a Sabula, Iowa native, and Staff Sgt. Bryan Paps, a Onsted, Michigan native, with 415th Civil Affairs Battalion, observes a traditional Bulgarian wreath-dropping celebration in Sozopol, Bulgaria, December 6, 2021. Locals gather every year to celebrate St. Nicholas Day with a procession, wreath ceremony and feast on traditional Bulgarian fish foods. Wreaths are tossed to honor the lives lost to the Black Sea. The U.S. is honored to continue our long-term cooperation with this strategic ally that continues to demonstrate leadership from the Black Sea region to the Balkans region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Osvaldo Fuentes)