Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jason Everett | Cpt. Albert Aslani of the Kosovo Security Force and retired Chief Warrant Officer 5...... read more read more
Subscribe
It was a red carpet affair that resembled a family reunion. Kosovo Security Force members (KSF), Iowa National Guard leaders, dignitaries, and government officials gathered on the evening of Nov. 6th in the extravagantly decorated Des Moines Area Community College ballroom in Ankeny.
The handshakes and hugs were those of close friendships and partnerships, bonds that have been forged over many years through co-labor and mutual trust.
It was part of a celebration of the 10 year formal partnership between the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo under the State Partnership Program. In 2011, Maj. Gen Timothy Orr, former Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, vied for Iowa to be a part of this National Guard Bureau Program that pairs state national guards with partner countries to support security cooperation objectives and increase military capability.
However, the Iowa and Kosovo relationship began before then. From 2003 to 2011, approximately 800 Iowans deployed in rotations to Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian. After a time of great adversity, including a humanitarian crisis as a result of an armed ethnic conflict in the region, Iowans came as part of a peace keeping force. They worked together with Kosovars to recover and rebuild, and many even spent personal time engaging in nation-building activities such as teaching English and community improvement projects.
Those relationships at the community level carried on and developed more dedicated bonds and broader interests for formal collaboration Including the establishment of Sister City partnerships between Iowa and Kosovo cities, and the establishment of the first foreign consulate in the State of Iowa. To the outside observer, the Iowa and Kosovo State Partnership Program is an international relations success story.
Today, the fabric of the relationship between Kosovo and Iowa is elaborately textured and deeply intertwined; and that was on display at the formal ball.
Special guests and representatives took turns on stage, with the Iowa and Kosovo flags as a backdrop, and told anecdotes of the relationships developed, details of the success of co-labored endeavors, and inspiring visions for the future of the partnership.
One of the most moving testimonies was Deputy Prime Minister/ Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gervalla-Schwarz who shared stories of personal tragedy and loss, and how the partnership with Iowa has been part of the foundation of a bright future for Kosovo.
By the end, the attendees were scattered throughout the room in jovial clusters. With wine glasses in-hands telling stories, hugging and laughing; posing for selfies to memorialize the occasion.
The hope is that as the years progress this will continue and evolve for the mutual benefit of both and for the world community. If this past year’s milestone of the KSF and Iowa National Guard deploying together to Kuwait to support peace efforts in other nations is any indication, it looks likely.
But as Maj. Gen. Ben Corell, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard said, “I don’t hope for anything, I believe. And I believe this relationship is enduring. Leadership will change but I believe this relationship will continue to grow."
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2021 12:14 |
| Story ID: | 410015 |
| Location: | DES MOINES, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: | 507 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Iowa National Guard Partnership with Kosovo Celebrate Ten Years, by SFC Jason Everett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
