Photo By Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio | U.S. Army Soldiers from Civil Affairs Team 4334, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion...... read more read more
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CESIS, Latvia — U.S. Army soldiers and NATO allies come together at the annual Chainsaw Diplomacy event to ensure that the Zvannieki Alternative Family Home has sufficient wood to keep children warm throughout the winter on Feb. 3, 2025.
U.S. Army Soldiers from Civil Affairs Team 4334, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, in support of Task Force Pegasus along with NATO allies, participated in the event Chainsaw Diplomacy to provide firewood for the Zvannieki Alternative Family Home in Vecrogas, Latvia. Volunteers and U.S. and NATO service members have worked together to harvest dogwood trees from the property for over twelve years.
“Soldiers from six different nationalities enhance our presence, including Americans, and we’ve been doing this for twelve years now, doing wood harvests for the alternative family home called Zvannieki,” said Latvian National Armed Forces Cpl. Nils Students, Zemessardze National Guard.
Dogwood trees regenerate quickly as a naturally occurring species, supporting responsible land stewardship. The trees are cut and stacked for firewood, providing heat for homes and buildings throughout the year. Through these efforts, Zvannieki has saved thousands of dollars while prioritizing a healthy environment for the children living there. Zvannieki Alternative Family Home is a volunteer-operated non-profit organization that supports children in crisis and those with disabilities, primarily from low-income families. It provides a safe and healthy environment for youth, fosters a sense of family, and offers a supportive framework for building productive futures.
“Every year, U.S. Soldiers come out here with allied forces and chop firewood to provide to the Zvannieki homes, and it saves them approximately two to three thousand euros per year so they do not have to go out and buy firewood to heat the premises,” said U.S. Army Capt. Matt Kankash, a Civil Affairs Team Chief, Civil Affairs Team 4334, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion.
U.S. soldiers with Task Force Pegasus participating in the event recognize the importance of connecting with local communities across Europe. Through community engagement, they continue to strengthen their bonds with these communities, assuring NATO allies of their partnership and cooperation.
“What inspired me today was the goal to provide and give back to this children's home [that] has done so much for the local community. I believe that this is important because it helps the children's home cut costs for necessities such as firewood, heating their home and their other buildings,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Rockcliffe, Civil Affairs Team 4334, 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion.
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2025 04:40 |
| Story ID: | 490248 |
| Location: | LV |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Chainsaw Diplomacy Provides Warmth for Twelve Years and Counting, by SSG Rose Di Trolio, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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