Our Own USO Mission

Nestled among the rolling hills one hour south of Pristina is Camp Bondsteel. This sprawling base is home to the Multinational Brigade (East) of Operation Joint Guardian; the NATO peacekeeping operation in Kosovo. It is also the base for the thousands of American troops contributing to keeping the peace in this troubled region.

On Saturday we packed 33 Americans (including Liz Shropshire) and 32 of Liz’s Gjakove students into five vans and headed to Camp Bondsteel. Our mission was to extend our thanks for their efforts. The trip, which wasn’t confirmed until after we arrived in Kosovo, was made possible only after a series of e-mail exchanges initiated by Keith Porter.

We arrived just after noon, and it took more than an hour to get all of us through security. This is partially due to the size of our group and the fact that Bondsteel doesn’t have X-ray machines and every bag had to be hand inspected. Once we cleared security we were given visitors badges and introduced to our host, SFC Duff McFadden. McFadden, a member of the Iowa National Guard, has been serving in Kosovo since last December.

Unbeknownst to Keith, McFadden is a Wilton High School graduate. McFadden, a media relations specialist, also worked briefly for the Muscatine Journal while attending Muscatine Community College in the mid 1970’s and again in the mid 1980’s.

“I worked with Roger Bates covering sports,” he told me as he reminisced about Iowa.

When I asked SFC McFadden why he helped organize our group trip he simply said, “We figured it would be a good thing to have,” adding, “We love to have entertainment. It helps pass the time.”

Our tour of Camp Bondsteel began with a full buffet meal in one of the base’s two dining halls. It felt like home for our American participants. Saturday’s NFL pre-season game in Tokyo was being broadcast on a large screen in one end of the dining hall.

After a delicious lunch we boarded Blue Bird busses from Iowa (complete with a number of armed escorts) and taken to the gymnasium where the combined choirs performed.

“I’m Listening”

After a brief warm-up Camp Bondsteel’s Commanding Officer, Brig. General William H. Wade II welcomed our group. Then in true military fashion he said, “Start singing, I’m listening.”

I was slightly worried how the soldiers would react to our group as they filed into the gym, many still in full fatigues carrying their assigned weapons. But my worries quickly faded as I saw the seriousness on their faces transform into smiles as soon as the singing started. One soldier even started mouthing the words to “Supercalifragilicious.”

Another leaned over to Keith and asked, “Some of these kids are Albanian? And you have them singing songs about God?” When Keith answered yes, the man said, “Amen.”

The choirs sounded truly angelic in that dull gray metal gym. They performed better than I’ve ever seen them perform. And I wasn’t the only one to notice. The standing-room-only crowd gave our youth a resounding standing ovation at the end of the concert.

Visibly moved, Brig. General Wade then returned to the stage with a number of assistants. He presented Ric Smith and Liz Shropshire certificates of appreciation and each of the performers was given an Olympic-style medal on a red, white, and blue ribbon.

Then to our surprise Brig. General Wade presented to the American and Kosovar choirs a special “Task Force Falcon” medal; a medal that is usually reserved for high-ranking figures and soldiers who perform above expectations. Brig. General Wade told the crowd it was the first time the award has been presented to, “someone who has come here to entertain us.”

I made a note to ask the Brig. General why he presented such a high honor to our groups, but he answered my question in his closing remarks to the crowd.

“I miss my kids. Thanks for sharing your day with me. It makes me feel better.”

Mission accomplished.

Helicopter Anyone?
After the concert was over we boarded the same busses and were given a tour of the huge Camp Bondsteel complex. The highlight was an up-close and personal tour of the helicopter operations. We were given tours of both Apache and Blackhawk helicopters and were able to see one land (I can’t remember which model). The youth had a blast climbing in and out of the vehicles and I think the soldiers had fun showing off the equipment. As a gesture of thanks Ric quickly assembled the choirs as we were getting ready to leave the helicopter area for an impromptu concert. I swear I saw a few tears in the soldiers’ eyes. At least one said he missed his kids and was really glad we visited.

(I've posted more photos in a separate message below)

Until next time…..