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    Helping Hand: Soldiers from Novo Selo Training Area assist Bulgarian locals with trash clean-up

    Helping Hand: Soldiers from Novo Selo Training Area assist Bulgarian locals with trash clean-up

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Adam Manternach | A group of U.S. Army Soldiers and Bulgarian nationals pose for a photo in a field in...... read more read more

    NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, BULGARIA

    11.05.2021

    Story by Spc. Osvaldo Fuentes 

    22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

    NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria -- The 25th International Black Sea Day is an observance connected to the signing of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan in 1996. The initiative encourages residents of Black Sea coastal countries to clean the beaches and the sea, to create a healthier environment and ecosystem. On a wooded mountain trail overlooking Black Sea beaches above Sveti Vlas, U.S. Army Soldiers and local volunteers met to make a difference to celebrate.

    U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Daniel Maiuro, Kalamazoo, Michigan, native, his team from the 415th Civil Affairs Battalion, and Soldiers from Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, participated in clean-up events during a span of five days and within two different communities, leading up to a final event on October 31 - International Black Sea Day.

    “We are supporting the U.S. Embassy Bulgaria’s Black Sea initiative with engagements to commemorate International Black Sea Day,” said Maiuro.

    Soldiers and local residents met on a mountain trailhead overlooking the Black Sea near Sveti Vlas, Oct. 28, 2021. The trail is typically used by locals and tourists for hikes, picnics and other recreational activities. The volunteers worked together to pick up non-biodegradable trash along the path.

    The Soldiers joined high school students, later that afternoon, from Lyuben Karavelov High School in Nessebar, after cleaning the eco-trail. The students, volunteers of a local youth Red Cross chapter, wore organizational shirts to the field a few blocks from the school and near the Black Sea. Broken glass, tossed paper, discarded cans and bottles littered the area. As a team, these Soldiers, students and community volunteers removed litter and shared life experiences together. The group parted ways after filling bags with trash.

    The Soldiers joined Bulgarian volunteer divers at a pier in Burgas, Bulgaria, on International Black Sea Day, on Oct. 31st. The divers searched for trash and debris on the sea floor near the end of the pier, where boats dock during the summer. The Soldiers pulled the old tires, bags filled with plastic, glass and other debris onto the pier to be organized and disposed of.

    “This was our opportunity for us to show our commitment and support to the local communities for a cleaner Black Sea!” said Maiuro. The country of Bulgaria hosts U.S. Army rotational forces at Novo Selo Training Area.

    Our forces are committed to Bulgaria and the Black Sea region, and together, we will continue to operate and support each other with the assistance and leadership of our Allies and partners.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.05.2021
    Date Posted: 11.10.2021 12:52
    Story ID: 408761
    Location: NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, BG
    Hometown: NESSEBAR, BG
    Hometown: SLIVEN, BG
    Hometown: SOFIA, BG
    Hometown: KALAMAZOO, MI, US

    Web Views: 159
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN