Kosovo Associates Recognized for Work During Military Exercise

Balkans General Manager Lori Maggard, second from left; managers Naim Rashiti, Gazmend Mehmeti and Azem Hajrullahu; and barber Ergyn Pantina, display their certificates from battle-group commanders in Kosovo.

Five Exchange associates at Kosovo’s Camp Bondsteel were recognized by the U.S.-led Multinational Battle Group-East for their exemplary service caring for troops during a training exercise in North Macedonia.

Balkans General Manager Lori Maggard; managers Naim Rashiti, Gazmend Mehmeti and Azem Hajrullahu; and barber Ergyn Pantina, received certificates from battle group Mission Commander COL Roy Macaraeg at Camp Bondsteel March 18. The Exchange team was recognized for running Exchange rodeos to the Krivolac Training Area.

Once a week throughout March, they have driven a van packed with merchandise for two hours from Kosovo to Macedonia to serve up to 180 troops. They also drive once a month to a remote location in Kosovo to serve troops.

“The Gatorade, instant coffee, candy, snacks and personal hygiene items were well received with the troops living in tents at the range,” Maggard said. “Although most of the Soldiers in the military exercise are deployed to Kosovo, Soldiers from Vermont and Colorado were flown in for the exercise and they were quite happy to see us.

“Troop morale was reported to be high as command thanked us for supporting the mission.”

Some of the Exchange’s first associates ever in Macedonia, 1993.

Exchange History FunFact

 June 1993

The month Exchange associates first deployed to Macedonia to support Operation Able Sentry, a U.N.-sponsored operation to keep ethnic violence in neighboring Bosnia from spreading. See in the Exchange History Flickr Album pictures of Exchange serving U.S. forces in Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia, Macedonia and other Eastern European countries.