Joint Task Force-East

American Soldiers bring smiles at "Little Rotterdam"

May 8, 2008
Advisory No. 20080508-1

MIHAIL KOGANICEANU AIRBASE, CONSTANTA– Soldiers of JTF-East based at Mihail Kogalniceau Air Base visited "Little Rotterdam", a placement center in the Constanta area, bringing toys and smiles with them Wednesday, 7 May.

The visit was an initiative of Sgt. 1st Class Juan Vasquez, the Operations Noncommissioned Officer for JTF East during the warm-basing period.

"Sometimes I think that some of the American kids have so much. If there is anything I can do to bring a smile on the kids’ faces I will do it, Vasquez said. “I am a father and I have three boys. I know that toys make them smile for sure."

JTF East warm-basing personnel have visited quite a few placement centers, kindergartens and schools in the Constanta and Babadag areas and know that, while the kids are well taken care of, having visitors always makes them smile.

That warm-basing time is almost over. Soon, the base will see an increase in activity as the units taking part in this year’s exercise begin arriving. Vasquez and his fellow warm-basing staff members wanted to bring smiles to the kids one more time.

"This will not be the last time JTF E Soldiers visit the children”, said Lt. Col. John Moon, the JTF-East commander.

"We want to make a tradition of having JTF-E Soldiers come and visit the children at the placement centers. Even if it will be just to play with them, I know it will bring a little joy to them and make our Soldiers feel a little bit closer to home,” Moon said.

For more information regarding JTF-E please contact the Media Relations Specialist, Ms. Alina Savu, 0241 608 022 and 0730 630 002, Alina.Savu@eur.army.mil

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