Land Forces HQ, Bucharest - Two US Soldiers fallen in Afghanistan were honoured by the Chief of the Romanian Land Forces, Major-General Dan Ghica-Radu, in a ceremony held on July 23 here.

Maj. Gen. Ghica-Radu offered the Romanian Land Forces Emblem of Honour to CAPT Mark Andess Garner and Emblem of Merit Third Class 'In Slujba Pacii' to Petty Officer Tony Randolph for the 'courage and spirit of sacrifice proven in the Fight against Terrorism, together with the Romanian Soldiers in Afghanistan'.

'We are offering these distinctions as a sign of respect for the sacrifice made in the name of freedom. The Romanian and US Soldiers cooperate in special conditions, train and fight together so it is normal to pay respect for the heroes together' said Maj. Gen. Ghica-Radu.

The emblems were handed to Brig. Gen. Martin Bellini, USAREUR representative, and to COL Vincent Clark, in order to be sent to the families.

'Thank you for offering us the opportunity to recall the sacrifice of the two Soldiers. The sacrifice of our nations in Afghanistan created a special link between us, link that is stressed out on this ceremony. Let us hope that their sacrifice is not in vain as our common objective is to make a better world', said Jeri Guthrie-Corn, Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Romania.

The ceremony was also attended by COL Bruce A. West, US Military Attache in Romania, 1st US Battalion commander, COL Rafael A. Paredes jr., Joint Task Force East Command Sergeant Major Austin Shane, generals and officers of the Romanian Land Forces.

* * *

The two US Soldiers lost their lives on the 6th of July in a US Navy convoy when their HUMVEE ran over an IED. The other Soldiers in the vehicle were injured.

CAPT Garner was the commander of the B Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment in Hohenfels, Germany. The task of his unit was to support the war on terror within ISAF, as part of the Romanian-led Task Force Zabul.

MoND Press Office