CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (WNCT) – It was a day of camaraderie and lighthearted fun.

Wounded Danish soldiers alongside Camp Lejeune Marines, part of a tour of the U.S.

“It’s a new camaraderie,” said Corporal Mark Peters. “New friends and also a new competitive nature.”

Peters serves in the Royal Danish Army. Monday, he and 25 other wounded Danish soldiers and their families visited Camp Lejeune for the first time.

“It’s a great experience,” commented Cpl. Mark Peters, Royal Danish Army. “The camp is much bigger than I thought. It’s almost as big as Copenhagen, where I’m from. Seeing the guys here is kinda exciting.”

The soldiers were injured while serving alongside U.S. Marines in Afghanistan.

Monday, they visited with Marines from the Wounded Warrior Battalion East as part of their larger tour of the U.S.

And while there, [they] engaged in some friendly competition.

“In many cases, the plans they had about being a Marine, maybe even a career Marine, have changed significantly,” said Lt. Col. Chris Hrudka, Wounded Warrior Battalion East Commanding Officer, “So anything we can do to give them that human spirit back, competitive sports is a great way to do it. And now being able to do it on an international level gives them an opportunity to do something that they may not ever have a chance to do.”

For many, the event is even more special because of the common experiences shared by both the Danes and the Marines.

“Build a bond with each other,” stated (Sgt. Ivan Sears, wounded Marine. “Even though we’re thousands of miles away from each other, we still help each other somehow.”

The tour will continue Tuesday, when the soldiers will get the chance to practice at a shooting range.

The Danish soldiers will tour Mount Vernon and the Pentagon before leaving on Friday.