Photo By Staff Sgt. Casey Hustin | CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Soldiers with Multi-National Battle Group - East hosted 13...... read more read more
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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Soldiers with Multi-National Battle Group - East hosted 13 Kosovar-Albanian youths and 17 Kosovar-Serbian youths from Gjilan and their guardians at Camp Bondsteel, July 15.
The young adults (ages 15-19) enjoyed playing a soccer game, interacting with one another during team building activities, eating a pizza and fried chicken dinner, and exploring helicopters. The highlight of the day was the viewing of the World Cup Soccer Final with Soldiers of MNBG-East in the Medal of Honor Hall Theater.
The intent of the visit was to bridge ethnic divides and improve relations, and strengthen trust, understanding and cooperation between the youth and MNBG-East.
Millenarian Krstic and Suzan Nedeljkovic, both former semi-professional national soccer players currently coaching local teams, were among the visitors. The coaches spoke to the youth about perseverance and the importance of being part of a team.
“Even though I’ve been through hard times while playing soccer throughout my career; it never stopped me,” said Kristic, who played for the Pristina soccer team for nine years and now coaches for the Gračanica soccer club.
“It’s important we play together as one team and that we are all friends,” said Nedeljkovic.
They emphasized that teammates are integral in helping one another through hardships.
Col. Nick Ducich and Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew J. McKindley, from the California National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who are serving as the command team for MNBG-East, welcomed this second youth visit to Camp Bondsteel over the summer break to promote multi-ethnic interaction and friendship building.
“Support from professional coaches, players, and school chaperones made this Youth World Cup Day extra special as the teenagers enjoyed all the activities, including watching the tournament finale together in Camp Bondsteel's large screen theater,” Ducich said.
Multi-National Battle Group-East is committed to building and strengthening relationships with local Kosovo communities alongside their NATO allies, he added.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.19.2018 05:14 |
| Story ID: | 284715 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL , ZZ |
| Web Views: | 321 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MNBG-E Hosts Kosovo Youth: World Cup Visit, by SSG Casey Hustin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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