On Sunday we packed 33 Americans (including Liz Shropshire, head of the Shropshire Music Foundation, our partner group in Kosovo) and a dozen of Liz’s advanced Gjakove volunteers into one van and a large bus and headed to Camp Bondsteel. Our mission was to extend our thanks for their efforts. The trip was made possible only after a series of e-mail exchanges initiated by Keith Porter.
We were told to arrive by 11:00 a.m. We arrived 30 minutes early (the first advance or on-time arrival in our 14 days here!). Unbeknownst to us, Bondsteel had pushed the schedule back for our arrival to 11:45 a.m. In the end, the early arrival gave our combined choirs a chance to determine a set list and which instruments were going to be used in the concert.
When we finally lined up for security at 11:45 a.m., it took more than 30 minutes for the entire group to clear 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. We were only allowed to bring three cameras for the entire group; two still cameras and our videographer’s camera.
Once we cleared security we were given visitors badges and introduced to our chaplain host, Major Darren King, and his assistant, Sergeant First Class Michael Busby. We were further divided into small groups of four or five and introduced to soldiers who were assigned to escort us at all times. Every one of the soldiers was armed, and each had volunteered on their day off to escort our participants.
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. Baseball highlights were being broadcast on a large screen in one end of the dining hall. The huge spread of food was a true treat for our Kosovar youth.
After a delicious lunch we boarded air conditioned busses (complete with a number of armed escorts), taken to a monument near Bondsteel’s chapel, given a tour of the base, and then taken to Audie Murphy Medal of Honor Hall where the combined choirs performed.
Song and Praise
Soon, soldiers, still in full fatigues carrying their assigned weapons, started to fill the seats. Commanding General Larry Kay of the Missouri National Guard even slipped into the row behind me.
The choirs sounded truly angelic. They performed better than I’ve ever seen them perform. The final song of the performance was “Ani Mori Nuse”, a traditional Albanian folk song with a modern twist. In the middle of the song, our Kosovar performers jumped from the stage and started a traditional chain dance. Before I could react with my camera nearly everyone in the hall, including General Kay, were on their feet and had joined the dance line as it snaked through the rows of seats.
Visibly moved, Commanding General Kay presented Ric Smith and Liz Shropshire a plaque of appreciation. He also presented special medals to what he called, “the four standout performers.” They were Perparim Lloqanaj and Michaela Calzaretta for their solo performances and Zana Vejsa and Vigan Shehu for their guitar performances.
In a conversation with Keith Porter after the performance Commanding General Kay said the performance was wonderful. “It lets us know that we are not forgotten but it also lets us know there is a lot going on out there that is very, very positive.” He added, “To see something that originates from Muscatine, Iowa, just up the street from us (in Missouri), it just astounding.”
Another mission accomplished.
Until next time....Kristin McHugh-Johnston
