| New Egypt, New Jersey |
Kosovo refugees depart Fort DixBy David LevinskyTuesday, July 13, 1999 11:08 AM |
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Formal closing ceremony held as final refugees prepare to depart
They were recognized last Friday during a special closing ceremony held in the Doughboy Gym Welcome Center and witnessed by over 300 members of the operation staff, refugees, and special guests. The ceremony was held even though the last remaining refugees depart later this week. "Character was built and character was shared,” said Gen. Thomas A. Swartz, Commander of the Army’s Forces Command. “There is no medicine like hope and we provided hope for a group of people that lost it for a period of time. That’s kinda magic. It represents the very heart, the very fiber and the very soul of what America is all about. This place is about hope.” “You gave hope to hearts and light to lives,” added Carmen Nazario, Deputy Assistant Secretary for children and families with the US Department of Health and Human Services. “Our legacy is a new appreciation of what it means to be free and if anything deserves to be called excellent— it’s what you have done here.” The ceremony also gave the refugee guests the opportunity to offer collective thanks to the United States and Fort Dix. Refugee representative Aquin Shaquiri addressed the crowd through an interpreter and received a standing ovation after thanking America. “You gave us refuge but also something else. You gave us hope, dignity, faith in ourselves and humanity in general. May god bless all of you, your families and America,” he said.. SPC Fernando Cialone of Fort Dix was also honored with Army Reserve Commendation of Merit from the Joint Task Force and the base received a unit award from the Department Health and Human Services along with countless praise for the garrison’s performance during the operation. According to base officials, the total number of refugees staying on the base peaked at 3,586 on June 2 and a total of 3,773 refugees have been relocated to stay with host families across the nation. . The conclusion of the conflict in Kosovo and the efficiency of both Immigration and Nationalization Services and sponsoring agencies were both credited for the speedy processing of the refugees. The operation was not expected to close until late July or early August. “The volunteers and sponsorship have been incredible,” said Lavinia Limon, Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement for Health and Human Services. “I think it really has been a matter of the American people being willing to help and sponsor families.” Limon added: “This operation has been absolutely blessed. We’ve had fabulous weather, except for the past few days. The grass is green, the sky is blue. So I think the refugees have had a place to recover in peace. I also think the community here has been very receptive. Fort Dix was a perfect choice.” That sentiment was echoed again and again by numerous officials and guests at the base. “They did a great job keeping the civilian community informed and the whole operation went over splendidly,” said Pemberton Township Mayor Thalia “TC” Kay, who visited the refugee village in late June. This past weekend the active refugee camp consolidated from five dorms to two as the base prepared for this week’s final departures. The remaining refugees were classified as special cases involving various hold ups. They want to go and are ready to leave,” said Limon. “It’s a little like being chosen last for a basketball team.” Chaplain Major Jon Stepp called the departures a “mixed blessing.” “There’s a joy in seeing these people resettle and start new lives but also a pain from saying goodbye to people you’ve become close to. It’s a little bitter sweet.” Base officials reported seven births and two natural deaths during the operation and 200 refugee visits to Virtua Memorial Hospital of Burlington County in Mt. Holly. The cost of the entire operation has been estimated at $14.4 million according to administration officials. “At Fort Dix they received a hearty welcome, a roof over their heads, hot meals and a safe place to sleep,” said NJ Congressman Jim Saxton. “That’s American hospitality.” |
