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    Soldiers, locals come together for Thanksgiving at Bondsteel

    Soldiers, locals come together for Thanksgiving at Bondsteel

    Photo By Maj. Judith Marlowe | Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ryan Newlon, the deputy communications officer for...... read more read more

    CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

    11.27.2014

    Story by Capt. Judith Marlowe 

    KFOR Regional Command East

    CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Laughter filled the room as Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group-East (MNBG-E) celebrated Thanksgiving at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Nov. 27.

    Command teams, along with staff officers and senior non-commissioned officers, served Thanksgiving lunch to Soldiers, civilian contractors (both U.S. and local nationals) and their families while music and conversations filled the air. The mayor of Ferizaj, the city adjacent to Camp Bondsteel, was one of the many guests who came to share a meal and conversation with the Soldiers.

    “It’s an extraordinary feeling being here with the Soldiers and sharing this day with them,” said the Mayor of Ferizaj, Muharrem Svarqa.

    Svarqa is regularly invited to Camp Bondsteel for various American holidays and is always honored to receive each invitation.

    U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Victor Lugo, communications security manager for MNBG-E, ate his Thanksgiving Day meal with the mayor and players of Ferizaj’s semi-professional basketball team.

    “I think it’s a great morale boost to eat thanksgiving lunch with the Ferizaj basketball players and the mayor,” said Lugo. “This event will boost community cohesion.”

    Lugo and some of his fellow Soldiers are planning on playing the Kastrioti Team from Ferizaj in an exhibition game in the coming months on Camp Bondsteel.

    “We look forward to a friendly match with the Soldiers,” said Vincent Williams, a native of Miami, Florida, and a player with the Kastrioti Team.

    The basketball team said they felt right at home during their visit with the Soldiers.

    “We feel like this is our second family; our home away from home,” said Donald Lawes, a player from Queens, New York, and a member of the Kastrioti Team.

    The players also said they can relate to the Soldiers missing their families since they are also currently separated from their loved ones.

    “Thank you [MNBG-E command team] for inviting us to share Thanksgiving Day with you and thank you [Soldiers of MNBG-E] for your service,” said Reuben Werber, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a player with the Kastrioti Team.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.27.2014
    Date Posted: 11.28.2014 16:39
    Story ID: 149030
    Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ
    Hometown: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US

    Web Views: 153
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN