The Romanian injured soldiers, hospitalized in the US Regional Medical Center from Landstuhl, Germany, were visited by their families and the defence minister, Mircea Dusa, on Wednesday, April 16.

Their health state is good as the medical report issued by the hospital medical team showed.

Minister Dusa thanked the commander of the Medical Center, Colonel Judith Lee, on behalf of all Romanian troops for the medical care provided, offering the Colonel the Romanian Armed Forces Emblem of Honor '65 Romanian soldiers injured in different theaters of operations were nursed in this hospital. I`m glad to be here today, with our soldiers` families, especially as Easter is coming and they should feel closer to home'.

In turn, Colonel Lee said: 'I want to make sure that we`ll be always here to take care of the injured soldiers. And I would like to thank all Romanian troops for participating in missions in the Afghanistan theater of operations'.

During a short ceremony, the defence minister promoted Second Lieutenant Ionut Alin Marinescu in rank, thanking him for his courage and the way he had done his duty, by expressing his hope that the presence of his family will comfort him. 'As soon as the promotion order is read, we’ll leave you in the company of your family', minister Dusa said; Lieutenant Marinescu replied: 'Minister, you are also part of my family. I am proud I succeeded in accomplishing my duty, serving my country, but I am sorry for losing one of my comrades'.

Also, defence minister handed over the Emblem of Merit in the Service of Peace 1st class to Corporals 3rd class Marius Bogdan Radu and Eugen Valentin Patru.

During his visit at Ramstein military base, Minister Dusa met Major General Richard C. Longo, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Commander and U.S. Army NATO.

MoND Press Office