The Bondsteel Bullet Aug. 2013

THE BONDSTEEL BULLET August 2013 NEWSLETTER  Issue 5 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 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 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.” Della Hodges, director of AST Balkans, was among the people responsible for organizing the 4th of July events at Camp Bondsteel. 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 5year-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. Continued on page 4 POC for this publication is: Ardian Nrecaj, DSN 781-3467 [email protected] “My family and me are happy for the opportunity to share this celebration with U.S. soldiers” 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