CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Armenian soldiers celebrated the Republic of Armenia's independence day with a ceremony and meal alongside their Kosovo Force allies assigned to Multinational Battle Group-East, Sept. 21, 2015, on Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.
Armenian troops are involved in multiple allied missions around the world, including KFOR, NATO's peace support mission in Kosovo.
During the ceremony, the Armenian leadership in Kosovo thanked U.S. Army Col. Vernon Simpson, the commander of MNBG-E and the North Carolina National Guard's 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, for joining them in celebrating their national holiday.
"Thank you all for supporting the alliance," Simpson said. "You truly represent the very best your country has to offer, and I wish you the very best on your country's independence day."
Lt. Col. Jeffrey LaPierre, who commands MNBG-E's Southern Command Post and the Connecticut National Guard's 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, gave a speech giving a brief view into Armenia's long and rich history with NATO, as well as its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union on Sept. 21, 1991.
Within MNBG-E, Armenian troops serve under LaPierre in the Southern Command Post. The unit's mission is to ensure a safe and secure environment, and freedom of movement, in Kosovo.
"Armenian NATO relations date back to 1992, when Armenia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council," LaPierre said. "Cooperation deepened and broadened after Armenia joined the Partnership for Peace program in 1994, and its first contribution to KFOR in 2004 further strengthened this relation."
Following the ceremony, the Armenian contingent invited their allies to a party, offering traditional Armenian food and music. At the end of the day, their guests left having learned a little more about Armenian culture, further strengthening relations between the allies.
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