A few US troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade deployed to the Ukraine joined in the local celebration of Epiphany in January. As the official US Army article explained:

Epiphany…marks the baptism of Jesus in the Orthodox Church. Believing that on this day water becomes holy and is imbued with special powers, Ukrainians cut holes in the ice of lakes and rivers, often in the shape of the cross, to bathe in the freezing water. Participants…symbolically wash away their sins from the past year, and to experience a sense of spiritual rebirth.

SFC Michael Taylor took a dip, but will probably demur next time:  Read more