Health Center Ribbon Cuttings in Bulgaria

As Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation in Bulgaria, I recently attended two ribbon cutting ceremonies in the towns of Zherevna and Kermen to celebrate the completion of renovations for their health centers funded by the DoD Humanitarian Assistance Office.

LTC Hartmnan and Vesi Terzieva, Governor Kavrakov and LCDR Daystar speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 10.

We are fortunate that Task Force-East is located in-country which allows us to coordinate support from units like the 409th Contracting Support Battalion to make these projects reality. In this case, the 409th contracted with SKE to resource local contractors and renovate the floor, and to provide a new ceiling and new roofing for the health center in Zhereven. At the health center in Kermen, local contractors replaced dilapidated wooded windows and refurbished the downstairs lavatory as well as refinished the interior walls. These two centers provide service to a rural population of 7,000.

LTC Hartman tries the traditional welcome bread as the first guest to enter the newly refurbished health center.

The ribbon cutting ceremonies attracted large crowds including the regional governor of Silven to celebrate completion of the projects with the contractors and U.S. Embassy. Locals provided entertainment which included cultural dancing, singing, and food. These sort of shared events and cross-cultural interaction are what I find particularly rewarding as an ODC Chief - both professionally and personally.

That said, we do try to use these events as much more than a local one. We often try to incorporate the embassy PAO in order to engage with the press in order to hit strategic messages and themes to a far broader audience. In keeping with that goal, on this occasion I did a press interview, and affirmed that the goal of these projects and similar projects is to bring our two nations and two peoples together in ways that benefit both societies. Given the recent concern over the spread of the H1N1 virus, I also emphasized that well functioning health centers are essential as local communities support critical needs of their population. It is an honor to engage with communities like Zhereven and Kermen who help us assimilate our military presence in a responsible and enduring way.

LTC Eric Hartman
Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation in Bulgaria