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EUCOM, USACE TEAM UP TO DELIVER KINDERGARTEN TO ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
States News Service
September 12, 2011 Monday
The following information was released by the United States European
Command:
By Rachel Goodspeed, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District
It has been 53 years since the tragic flight and crash of a U.S. Air
Force C-130 just north of here in Armenia.
Since Sept. 2, 1958, the people of this small, rural village have
commemorated the memory of the 17 U.S. Airmen who died that day,
said Aragatsotn province Governor Sargis Sahakyan.
Following a solemn memorial with the local community, U.S. and
Armenian officials gathered together at the local kindergarten
for a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening its newly-renovated doors to
Sasnashen's children.
"Three years ago, we asked the mayor if there were any issues we might
be able to assist him with," said Col. D. Peter Helmlinger, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Europe District commander. "His immediate response
was, 'We need better school conditions for our children.'"
And better school conditions he got. The $425,000 renovation project,
funded by the U.S. European Command and managed by the USACE Europe
District in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Office of Defense
Cooperation, provided a complete overhaul to kindergarten. The Armenian
branch of World Vision International provided all new furnishings
for the kindergarten.
"It's a big celebration for our community today -- we are opening the
kindergarten," said Sasnashen Mayor Andranik Shomyan. "Traditionally,
our community has had a high level of education. Now that we have
these new facilities, I believe that the quality of education will
get even better."
And quality education is something both countries have strived to
deliver to their communities, Helmlinger said.
"This village is no different than any other village or town in the
world," he said. "All parents place a high importance on education
for their children. We are happy to support your community in your
efforts to provide a brighter future for your children."
As Helmlinger handed over a traditional USACE key plaque to commemorate
the occasion, he also thanked Shomyan for his efforts in bringing
the project to fruition.
"Thank you for your strong support," he said. "We were able to
procure the money for this renovation, but without your hard work
and dedication, this project would never have happened."
It was in 2009 on the 51st anniversary of the tragedy that the ODC
announced the funding to repair and refurbish Sasnashen's kindergarten.
"Completion of this Office of Defense Cooperation repair project will
help show our appreciation to the villagers who have continued to
bring honor to the memory of those servicemen who perished here in
the line of duty over 50 years ago," said then-Defense Attache Lt. Col.
Robert Webster.
Additionally, the kindergarten provided more than just an educational
facility to the local community. The project also provided an
opportunity for local contractors to become familiar with U.S.
construction procedures and U.S. military members to learn Armenia's
processes, Helmlinger said.
"[This project] provided job for members of the community and a
unique opportunity for U.S. military forces to become acquainted
with local construction procedures," he said. "This not only improves
construction techniques on this project, but on all future projects
with [the contractor] CESCO."
Including the kindergarten, so far roughly $1.2 million has been
invested in the country's health and educational facilities this year.
According to the ODC, this investment by the Defense Department
improves the lives of Armenians through access to better health care
and education, which in turn leads to a stronger partnership.
"Thanks to all of our guests," Shomyan said to the U.S. delegation.
"The doors of my house are always open. We are ready to welcome you
any year, any time. Our relationship is to the point where we owe
that respect towards each other. Thank you very much."
States News Service
September 12, 2011 Monday
The following information was released by the United States European
Command:
By Rachel Goodspeed, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District
It has been 53 years since the tragic flight and crash of a U.S. Air
Force C-130 just north of here in Armenia.
Since Sept. 2, 1958, the people of this small, rural village have
commemorated the memory of the 17 U.S. Airmen who died that day,
said Aragatsotn province Governor Sargis Sahakyan.
Following a solemn memorial with the local community, U.S. and
Armenian officials gathered together at the local kindergarten
for a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening its newly-renovated doors to
Sasnashen's children.
"Three years ago, we asked the mayor if there were any issues we might
be able to assist him with," said Col. D. Peter Helmlinger, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers Europe District commander. "His immediate response
was, 'We need better school conditions for our children.'"
And better school conditions he got. The $425,000 renovation project,
funded by the U.S. European Command and managed by the USACE Europe
District in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Office of Defense
Cooperation, provided a complete overhaul to kindergarten. The Armenian
branch of World Vision International provided all new furnishings
for the kindergarten.
"It's a big celebration for our community today -- we are opening the
kindergarten," said Sasnashen Mayor Andranik Shomyan. "Traditionally,
our community has had a high level of education. Now that we have
these new facilities, I believe that the quality of education will
get even better."
And quality education is something both countries have strived to
deliver to their communities, Helmlinger said.
"This village is no different than any other village or town in the
world," he said. "All parents place a high importance on education
for their children. We are happy to support your community in your
efforts to provide a brighter future for your children."
As Helmlinger handed over a traditional USACE key plaque to commemorate
the occasion, he also thanked Shomyan for his efforts in bringing
the project to fruition.
"Thank you for your strong support," he said. "We were able to
procure the money for this renovation, but without your hard work
and dedication, this project would never have happened."
It was in 2009 on the 51st anniversary of the tragedy that the ODC
announced the funding to repair and refurbish Sasnashen's kindergarten.
"Completion of this Office of Defense Cooperation repair project will
help show our appreciation to the villagers who have continued to
bring honor to the memory of those servicemen who perished here in
the line of duty over 50 years ago," said then-Defense Attache Lt. Col.
Robert Webster.
Additionally, the kindergarten provided more than just an educational
facility to the local community. The project also provided an
opportunity for local contractors to become familiar with U.S.
construction procedures and U.S. military members to learn Armenia's
processes, Helmlinger said.
"[This project] provided job for members of the community and a
unique opportunity for U.S. military forces to become acquainted
with local construction procedures," he said. "This not only improves
construction techniques on this project, but on all future projects
with [the contractor] CESCO."
Including the kindergarten, so far roughly $1.2 million has been
invested in the country's health and educational facilities this year.
According to the ODC, this investment by the Defense Department
improves the lives of Armenians through access to better health care
and education, which in turn leads to a stronger partnership.
"Thanks to all of our guests," Shomyan said to the U.S. delegation.
"The doors of my house are always open. We are ready to welcome you
any year, any time. Our relationship is to the point where we owe
that respect towards each other. Thank you very much."