Col. Don Berchoff greets villagers October 1 in the village of Oktyabra'skoe, Kyrgyzstan, during the local Elders' Day celebration. Airmen from Manas Air Base handed out packages including blankets, rice, pasta, sugar, tea, cookies, crackers, thermos', insulated mugs, and more to elderly citizens during the celebration.The colonel is the 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander. (Photo: Senior Master Sgt. Stefan Alford/US Airforce Photo)
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN), October 3, 2007:
Airmen from Manas Air Base handed out gift packages October 1 to senior citizens in nearby Oktyabra'skoe Village as part of Kyrgyzstan's recognition of World Elders' Day.
The Oktyabra'skoe Village, one of six villages around the air base, invited the base to participate in a community event to mark the International Day of Older Persons.
Col. Don Berchoff, the 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander, and members from the security forces and communications squadrons set out with gifts in hand to help the village celebrate.
The Airmen handed out packages including blankets, rice, pasta, sugar, tea, cookies, crackers, thermos' and insulated mugs elderly citizens at the village's town hall building.
Colonel Berchoff thanked the local citizens for allowing the U.S. military members to be there in support of the war on terrorism and the operations over Afghanistan, and for developing positive relationships with them.
"When people come together and get politics out of the way, we all want the same thing for ourselves and our children," Colonel Berchoff said. "We just want to live a peaceful life."
Tech. Sgt. Dennis Mercier hands a blanket to one of the villagers during the local Elder's Day celebration Oct. 1in Oktyabra'skoe, Kyrgyzstan. Airmen from Manas Air Base handed out packages including blankets, rice, pasta, sugar, tea, cookies, crackers, thermos', insulated mugs, and more to elderly citizens. Sergeant Mercier is a member of the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.Photo: Senior Airman Giana Jaworski/Air Force.
The Airmen volunteered time to collect money on base to purchase the items for the event said Senior Master Sgt. Paul Dubay, the Village Council vice president.
Oktyabra'skoe Village is aligned with the 376th ESFS under the Village Partnership program at Manas AB.
"We meet with the mayor once a month and go over future projects, like this one," Sergeant Dubay said. "Other projects that are in the works are refurbishing the community center and the Veterans Day Memorial."
After meeting with the village mayor in the town hall, the Airmen departed to visit other local residents in their homes to hand out more packages.
By Senior Airman Giana Jaworski
376th Air Expeditionary Wing
Source: Air Force Link
