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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Vice President Joe Biden visited the troops at Camp Bondsteel in an effort to boost the morale of the Soldiers stationed here and to show support for the Kosovo Force mission.
The KFOR 11 soldiers represent some of the best Soldiers to offer from California, Texas, Maryland, West Virginia, and Alaska. The vice president recognized each state and got a roaring cheer from the National Guard Soldiers.
Biden's visit to Camp Bondsteel was the last stop on a three-day trip to the Balkans where he visited three different countries.
Upon his arrival here, Biden met with the commanding general of the U.S. led Multi-National Task Force-East, Brig. Gen. Keith D. Jones, and then followed that meeting with a meet-and-greet where he addressed the American contingent serving here.
"You're the most visible, most vital symbol of our sense of justice and compassion that could possibly be demonstrated to the rest of the world, you're the embodiment of our deep-seated ethic of selflessness and sacrifice," said Biden. "You know, you're serving shoulder-to-shoulder with our NATO forces that are here; partners from Armenia and Greece, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania and Ukraine. You show the world, and you continue to show the world what happens when nations resolve to stand together to defeat tyranny and to build free societies."
As a proud father of a National Guard Soldier serving in Iraq, Biden remarked on the importance of the National Guard and its relevance in today's military.
"Without the National Guard we would not be able to conduct the war in Iraq, we would not be able to conduct the War in Afghanistan, and we would most certainly not be able to conduct the efforts being made here," said Biden. "There's an old saying that goes, 'this is not your father's National Guard,' its an integral part of every Army operation, and its impossible to deploy a large force of the United States military without the National Guard."
The vice president's visit imparted the importance of the KFOR mission and highlighted the changes that have taken place in the region.
"I look at the progress made since my first visit, and much of it has been attained, first and foremost, by American leadership, backed up by the courage and hard work of NATO military forces like all those standing with you here today," said Biden.
Biden also said that each KFOR Soldier has the rare chance to be able to tell future generations about what is was like when for the first time in history the Balkans became a part of Europe.
"We dreamed of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. But the one missing piece of that puzzle remains the Balkans," said Biden. "Here in Kosovo, you protect the innocent; you protected innocents a decade ago, and now you're providing Kosovars the security they need, and the space they need, to build an independent, democratic, and most importantly multi-ethnic state that has never existed in this part of the world."
Biden talked about what an opportunity Kosovo is and reaffirmed his support of the mission and how it acts as an example of freedom and democracy.
He stressed the U.S. Soldier's primary mission is to secure freedom of movement for the people of Kosovo and how the KFOR mission does much more than that.
"You're literally building a free, vibrant, productive society from the ground up," said Biden, KFOR Soldiers are working with nongovernmental organizations, international donor organizations, to complete local improvement projects that change the lives of the Kosovo people.
Biden ended his speech to the Soldiers with heartfelt words on the work of the American Soldiers and their continued dedication to KFOR, freedom, and the United States.
Some of the Soldiers who were present for Biden's speech were impressed that a member of the Obama administration took the time to personally come to Kosovo to thank them for what they are doing.
"We have his support while we're here promoting freedom, and it was very encouraging thing for him to come out here to let the troops know in person our vice president, on behalf of our president is behind us," said Sgt. 1st Class Maria Weaver, a Soldier from Alaska.
"It's an honor to see the administration take time to visit us to show their appreciation," said Spc, Damon Noriega, a California Army National Guard Soldier. "The speech was very nice to hear that they appreciate our sacrifices and or family that they are sacrificing as well."
"[Biden] really emphasized that it is our family that is making the sacrifice," said Noriega, "while it is America's military at war, it is the sacrifices at home that are felt the most."
Many of the Soldiers seemed impressed with Biden's parting words, which summed up the administraions views on the National Guard, and the KFOR mission.
"We admire you, we genuinely admire you. We admire what you are doing, and we will do everything in our power to guarantee that you have whatever you need to complete your mission and whatever help you need when you get back home," Biden said.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2009 04:06 |
| Story ID: | 35198 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 458 |
| Downloads: | 349 |
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