Striking partnerships: U.S. and Italian leaders roll one frame at a time
VICENZA, Italy – Senior leaders from the Vicenza military community and Italian key partners gathered at the Arena Bowling Center on Caserma Ederle Oct. 2 for "Striking Partnerships," a first-of-its-kind evening of friendly competition, teamwork and relationship-building.
Designed to bring together the individuals and organizations that have worked side by side for years, the event highlighted a shared commitment to the security and well-being of the American community and the people of Vicenza and its province.
"The name 'Striking Partnerships' was chosen with purpose," said Italian Base Commander Col. Alessandro Nigri during his welcome remarks. "In bowling, achieving a strike requires coordination, precision, and, above all, the ability to align every effort toward a common objective. These are the very same qualities that underpin any strong and enduring partnership."
Two mixed teams, the Fire Strikers and the Pin Rangers, were formed through a random draw. Made up of officials and their guests, the teams brought together American military leaders, civilian employees and Italian community representatives from the very first frame.
For many participants, the evening offered a chance to try something new.
"It was my very first-time bowling with our Italian partners, and while my score might need a little tactical reinforcement, the laughs and the teamwork were a total strike right out of the gate," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Paluso, U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior enlisted advisor.
That spirit of camaraderie quickly spread throughout the bowling alley, particularly among first-time bowlers.
"There was no sense of competition between Italians and Americans, only genuine friendship, teamwork, and mutual support, even for those of us who had never picked up a bowling ball before," said Rita Pittarello, chief of criminal investigation at Vicenza police headquarters. "What impressed me most was Commander Strong's team spirit. He is a true leader who makes everyone feel valued and motivates people to bring their best selves forward."
That team spirit was on display with the winning Fire Strikers. Col. Vaughn D. Strong Jr., U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander, embraced the informal setting to help teammates learn the game.
"Taking home the trophy was a blast, but the real win was sharing the lanes with our Italian friends, especially getting to show some of our team players the ropes and teaching them how to bowl," Strong said. "We Fire Strikers might have clinched the win tonight, but the true highlight was the fantastic company and laughs shared all around."
For newly arrived leaders, the evening also served as an introduction to the Vicenza community. Brig. Gen. Gregory Glasow, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), noted how quickly bowling lanes became a venue for meaningful connections.
"I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to community leaders from the Vicenza area than across a bowling lane," Glasow said. "Meeting our Italian hosts in such a relaxed setting made for a memorable welcome and highlighted the strong relationships that make this community so special."
Local leaders emphasized the value of sports and informal gatherings in building connections.
"The event was a tremendous success in fostering genuine warmth and friendship," said Dr. Federico Politi, director of Vicenza’s Medical Urgency and Emergency Service known locally as SUEM. "A testament to that spirit was the experience of my wife, who, despite not speaking English fluently, felt completely at ease and welcomed as part of the family."
Giacomo Bez, Vicenza city councilor for sports events, echoed that sentiment.
"Sport is a universal language, capable of bringing people together and strengthening the ties between our communities," Bez said. "Through this spirit of friendship and sharing, we can continue to build stronger relationships and grow stronger together."
Benedetta Ghiotto, one of the youngest councilors ever elected in Vicenza, added: "Moments like this show how strong and genuine the relationship between Vicenza and the American community can be: informal, open, and built on shared experiences."
Beyond friendly competition, the event featured some impressive bowling performances. Lt. Col. Jonathan Kuhn, U.S. Army Garrison Italy director of emergency services and provost marshal, posted the night's highest individual scores.
"Whether it's securing the lanes or chasing down a strike, the camaraderie on these nights proves our best operations happen off-duty and side-by-side with our Italian hosts," Kuhn said.
As the evening concluded with a shared dinner and plenty of laughter, Martin Schieres, USAG Italy S3 director, summed up the spirit of the event.
"While one team lost, everyone was a winner," Schieres said. "At the end of the day, between the crazy split pickups and the dinner we shared after, it didn't matter who took home the trophy. We all rolled away with new friends and an awesome time."
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