THE BONDSTEEL BULLET August 2013 NEWSLETTER Issue 5
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel McGuire , S-1 Senior Personnel Technician at Camp Bondsteel , bumps fists with a Kosovo girl
4th of July in Kosovo
Story and Photos by Ardian Nrecaj , Public Affairs Specialist
� More than 300 family members came to Camp Bondsteel on 4th of July
�
Children of all ages visited Camp Bondsteel to help celebrate 4th of July
THE BONDSTEEL BULLET
The Bondsteel Bullet is produced for civilians and military personnel on Camp Bondsteel .
Contents of this publication are not necessarily official views of Multinational Battle Group-East or AST Balkans .
Public Affairs Officer Maj . Wencke Tate
4th Public Affairs Detachment
Executive Editor Capt . Randy D . Ready
Editor Staff Sgt . Cody Harding
Staff Writer Ardian Nrecaj
As Americans all over the world celebrated their Independence Day with barbecues , games and patriotic decorations , the same was done at Camp Bondsteel , where workers , both locals and U . S . citizens , were invited to bring their families to the camp to help celebrate the 4th of July .
Ekrem Sallahaj , a civil engineer for Area Support Team Balkan ’ s Department of Public Works at Camp Bondsteel , brought his wife , son and brother for the celebration .
“ It ’ s a good feeling to have the opportunity to bring my family today , so they can see where I work , and how U . S . troops celebrate their independence day ,” said Sallahaj .
“ My family and me are happy for the opportunity to share this celebration with U . S . soldiers .”
Sallahaj ’ s wife Ardita said that she understands the sacrifice of being away from the family during celebrations . “ I hope that next year , they will celebrate the 4th of July with their families .”
Hodges said that more than 300 family members came to Bondsteel .
“ I think that 4th of July is our most patriotic holiday , and why not share the day with the families that work here at Camp Bondsteel ,” said Hodges . “ It makes soldiers interact with the families , and just makes the day better to have everyone here .”
Vlora Isufi-Maliqi , a real estate technician for AST , brought her husband and their 5- year-old son .
“ We had a great time today , everything was good ,” said Maliqi , and added that her son Festim was very excited to see soldiers and was very happy to see her mom ’ s office with “ big maps on the wall ,” said Festim .
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POC for this publication is :
Ardian Nrecaj , DSN 781-3467 ardian . nrecaj2 . fn @ mail . mil
“ My family and me are happy for the opportunity to share this celebration with U . S . soldiers ”
Della Hodges , director of AST Balkans , was among the people responsible for organizing the 4th of July events at Camp Bondsteel .
Ekrem Sallahaj enjoying ice cream with his family during 4th of July celebration at Camp Bondsteel
Festim Maliqi choosing his ice cream , during 4th of July celebration at Camp Bondsteel
THE BONDSTEEL BULLET ● Page 1