(24 Dec 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kosovo-Serbia border, Kosovo - 22 December 2023
1. Kosovo Force (KFOR) car driving off road in snow
2. US soldiers in car talking on radio
3. Various of US soldiers in car
4. Various of US soldiers getting out of the car and preparing for patrol
5. Various of US soldiers patrolling in the snow
6. SOUNDBITE (English) 1st Lt Pat, US Soldier from Charlie Company 1-143d Infantry Airborne:
"It’s obviously difficult to be away from home during the holidays, but we have an important mission to do, and we're happy to be here. And we'll continue to work through the holidays and have our celebrations, but quickly back to work right after we finish all the celebrations that we have planned.”
7. Various of US soldiers patrolling
8. US soldiers patrolling near Kosovo-Serbia border
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Spec. Rayan, US Soldier from Charlie Company 1-143d Infantry Airborne:
"We've been here in Kosovo for a while and I'd like to give a shout out with the Christmas holiday coming up to my wife, my mom, my dad, my sister, and my brother. I just want to let you guys know that I miss getting the tree with you guys this year, making cookies, and celebrating Christmas, and that I love you all very much.”
10. Various of patrol
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo - 22 December 2023
11. Wide of soldiers inside barracks
12. Christmas greeting on wall
13. Various of Lt Col Martha video calling with her family back home in Texas
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt Col Martha, US soldier:
“If I were to tell you how difficult it was for me, I would start crying. I try to distract myself by not just with the job here, that's really important, but to try and do festive things here with decorating and a little holiday cheer with the soldiers here that are also away from their families so that we can enjoy the festive time and not be too sad being away from our families.”
15. Various of Lt Col Martha talking to her daughter, and sending kisses
16. Reflection of US walking in the camp
17. Various of Lt Col Martha decorating the Christmas tree in Camp Bondsteel
STORYLINE:
Infantry soldiers, on a NATO-led mission in Kosovo, have expressed their desire to be with family and friends as they remain on patrol over the holiday season.
The soldiers, of the Charlie Company 1-143d Infantry Airborne from the Rhode Island and Texas National Guard, spoke to The Associated Press about the personal challenges they faced as their loved ones prepared to celebrate Christmas.
At Camp Bondsteel, American soldier Lt Col Martha said "if I were to tell you how difficult it was for me, I would start crying."
"I try to distract myself by not just with the job here, that's really important, but to try and do festive things here with decorating and a little holiday cheer with the soldiers here that are also away from their families so that we can enjoy the festive time and not be too sad being away from our families,” she added.
Another American soldier, 1st Lt Pat, spoke about how he was coping with the festive period while on patrol in a snowy section of Kosovo's border with Serbia.
"It’s obviously difficult to be away from home during the holidays, but we have an important mission to do, and we're happy to be here," he said.
"And we'll continue to work through the holidays and have our celebrations, but quickly back to work right after we finish all the celebrations that we have planned,” he added.
The patrols were happening as tensions in northern Kosovo remained tense, especially after a deadly gun battle on September 24 in the village of Banjska.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
