Czech Embassy in the United States serves up goulash for the National Guard

During the peak of the coronavirus crisis in the Czech Republic last October, a team of 28 doctors from the United States National Guard in Texas and Nebraska traveled to the country to help combat the epidemic.

Earlier this week, the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. expressed their thanks to members of the U.S. National Guard - Czech-style.

On Wednesday, January 20, members of the Texas and Nebraska National Guard were in Washington, D.C. to help secure the area during the inauguration of new U.S. president Joe Biden.

Afterwards, the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. invited them over for a traditional Czech meal, serving up 500 portions of goulash.

Reporters from Czech Television were even at the scene to ask the soldiers what they thought about the goulash (skip to around 2:00 in the linked video).

"This means a lot to us, we have a good state partnership with [the Czech Republic]," Jeremy Smith from the Nebraska National Guard told Czech Television.

"We do send soldiers out there and it's been fun every time we go out there working with the Czech Army."

Goulash, a thick stew made from vegetables and meat (typically beef) is not originally a Czech meal; the recipe first originated in nearby Hungary. However, the popularity of goulash in the Czech Republic over recent years has led to it becoming something of a national dish.

Czech goulash (or guláš, locally) is traditionally served with bread or potato dumplings (knedlíky). Judging by photos posted to social media by the Nebraska National Guard, they enjoyed it Slovak-style with some sliced bread.

"Thank you Czech Republic for providing my husband and his fellow soldiers and airmen with a wonderful meal," one reader wrote to the Czech Embassy on Facebook.

"We appreciate the support."