Photo By Staff Sgt. Melissa Parrish | Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges speaks with Multinational...... read more read more
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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - It’s Christmas Eve in Kosovo and Multinational Battle Group-East Soldiers dined with a general.
Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the commander of U.S. Army Europe, ate dinner with the troops at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Dec. 24.
Hodges wanted to visit the troops and let them know they are appreciated.
“Kosovo is a part of U.S. Army Europe and, as a new commander, I wanted to come see the Soldiers, understand their mission but, most importantly, I wanted to visit them on Christmas,” said Hodges.
Being away from home on the holidays is something the general is familiar with.
“This really is a time where troops lean on each other,” said Hodges. “For the rest of their lives, all of these Soldiers will remember they were deployed in Kosovo for Christmas and that will develop a bond they will have for a lifetime.”
Hodges joked with Soldiers and packed the room with laughter.
“It was great that he reached out to us,” said Spc. Nicholas Pagni, a native of Akron, Ohio, and a Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, who attended the dinner. “I appreciated the fact that he thanked us for being here and recognized that we are away from our families. I realize he is away from his family as well, but he took that time to come and visit us, thank us and have dinner with us. That meant a lot to us here.”
Hodges ended the dinner by taking pictures with each of the Soldiers. He was glad to spend time with troops for Christmas.
“I met people from all three components tonight (U.S. Army active, Guard and Reserve) and I am very proud of their service,” added Hodges.
“Most of the men and women that are here came in the Army after the war started,” said Hodges. “They joined the Army knowing there was a strong chance that they would be deployed and be away from home. I am very proud of them all.”
| Date Taken: | 12.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.24.2014 16:23 |
| Story ID: | 151092 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Hometown: | AKRON, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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