After much consternation and cussing, (Humanitarian work seems to bring out the worse in me) a solution was hatched. We would have a small ceremony just for the teachers on the 27th and a bigger ceremony for the whole school on the 28th. That should be simple enough. Right!!!

Situation normal… Aside from Neal and I chasing each other around first thing in the morning, everything seemed to be going well. About five minutes before departure we discovered that someone had taken LTC Kelly’s vehicle without his permission. I can’t say who that was, but his initials are Jim Ring.

Eventually, we found transportation, an armored Humvee, a bit extreme but it did the trick. We arrived a little later than expected but we made it. LTC Kelly needed to return to Comanche for another engagement so we didn’t have much time for conversation. We started right away with the dedication. I read the first part and LTC Kelly read the last two paragraphs. Sanela was there to translate.

“The idea for this library sprang out of a tragedy. Late last year the daughter of one of our soldiers passed away shortly after her birth. Her name is Rhianon Thomas Doerflein.

In January, I spoke with LTC Kelly’s wife, Maria. She requested that we make a dedication to Bokavici School in memory of Rhianon.

I shared this idea with Sanela, one of our interpreters. She suggested dedicating a library. In this way every child that uses these books could benefit from this gift. She also worked very hard to help find the books.

Over 50 different people donated money to purchase this bookshelf and these books. Many more worked hard to make this idea come to life.

In the book of Chronicles, from the Bible, numerous decendants of Adam and Eve are listed one-by-one. I am told this is done to signify that every life and every name is important to God. While we all struggle to understand God’s purpose is for us, we should know that there is a reason for each of us to be here.

Rhianon Thomas Doerflein’s life supports this truth. Though she was only with us on Earth for a few days, her life was the inspiration for this library. This library will benefit untold numbers of lives. So we celebrate her life with this gift.

We also wish to remember and celebrate another life on this day. This is the life of a young boy, who unfortunately like so many others fell victim to the recent warring in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

It is to these two people that the soldiers of Task Force Pegasus would like to dedicate this library. The inscription reads, “Donated by the soldiers of SFOR 10, “Task Force Pegasus” in memory of Rhianon Thomas Doerflein and Halilagic Emir.”

At this time LTC Kelly handed Mrs. Halilagic two plaques, one with the inscription in English and the other in Bosnian. As expected, Mrs. Halilagic was quite moved to discover that her son was also being memorialized. She said that she was speechless and that someone else would have to speak on her behalf. The other teachers did just that, expressing many kind words.

That was the tough part. The next part was fun. The teachers knew it was my birthday, so they made us lunch (cevapi) and a cake of sorts. I received a few presents, to include a poem that Mrs. Halilagic wrote for me. After eating, I was escorted to one of the classrooms where 30 students sang Happy Birthday to me in English. They sang so enthusiastically and loudly. I was quite impressed. Gee, I thought is would be depressing to be away from home on my Birthday.

We brought with us the final boxes of donations, so the first order of business was to unload the boxes. There were several so some students lent a helping hand. The teachers and student also prepared a classroom for our arrival. They knew that we were bringing many soldiers and of course wanted to have all the students present also. To accommodate this crowd, they removed all the furniture, except chairs, out of the classroom and into the hallway.

We started with the dedication ceremony. After reading the dedication, the teachers presented us with a certificate of appreciation, not for the soldiers, but for everyone at home who donated items or money for the school. I considered that a very thoughtful gesture.

By then Mrs. Halilagic had enough time to compose herself. She, as usual, very elegantly expressed her gratitude. She did so on behalf of the teachers, students, and for all parents that have the experience the loss of a child. She wanted also to express deep sympathy to the Doerflein Family. She requested their address, in order to make contact with the family as well as keep them informed of the benefits of this gift to the present and future students of Bokavici School.

I must apologize to my colleagues for patiently indulging me and allowed me to take up five minutes of their time to say my personal good-bye to the students and teachers.

Next event was the entertainment. It was much the same as the Bajrum celebrations, nevertheless, the additional people in the room made for a higher energy level. After much music and dancing the teacher wanted us to sit for some coffee. This proved more difficult than expected. I don’t think that the students wanted us to leave the room. I brought a collection of photos from all our visits. Everyone wanted to see them. I took me at least 15 minutes to cross the room.

Much like the last visit, most of us went to various parts of the school. I had some coffee and shared pictures, cards, and notes, which my children’s school sent. Finally, I went to the preschool room to read a book to the children. The scene up there was a mad house in a fun way. I believe only the pictures we took could do that scene justice.

Unfortunately now it was time for the real farewells. Again the teachers said some far to kind words. I was told that people were waiting on me so we could depart. However, I sat on the bus for five minutes waiting for everyone to drag themselves away. I am ready to go home now.