Independence Day of Georgia in Afghanistan
Thursday, May 28
The Defence Minister of Georgia celebrated Independence Day with the Georgian peacekeepers participating in the “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan. The event was held on Bagram Air Base in the province of Parvan.
The ceremony started with the Georgian national anthem and a minute of silence dedicated to the memory of Georgian soldiers killed in the ISAF mission. Minister Tinatin Khidasheli addressed the military of the 43rd Battalion of IV Mechanized Brigade and delivered congratulations to the military on behalf of Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili.
The event continued with an award ceremony. Tinatin Khidasheli awarded Chief of GLT, Major James Geiger and Sergeant Major Scott Perry with the medals “General Mazniashvili” and “General Kvinitadze” for their contribution in strengthening the Georgia-US military cooperation. At the ceremony 30 Georgian soldiers received certificates of appreciation for their duties carried out during the mission. The commander of the 43rd Battalion, LTC Vitali Tskhadadze expressed gratitude towards 11 military servicemen of the coalition forces.
First Deputy Defence Minister Davit Ebralidze, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the GAF, Colonel Roman Jokhadze and the leadership of the coalition forces attended the event.
The reception was arranged for the guests after the official ceremony.The men of the 43rd Battalion also demonstrated martial arts.
At the end of the event, the Defence Minister presented the Georgian National Flag to the 43rd Battalion; the battalion commander also granted the Minister the Georgian National flag raised on Bagram Air Base.
