Embassy Events
Ambassador Obsitnik Presents U.S. Military Awards to Six Slovak Soldiers
February 14, 2008
At a February 14 ceremony honoring six Slovak soldiers, Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik said: “The people of the Slovak Republic should be proud to have contributed to the overall strategic goal of a unified, democratic and federal Iraq that can govern, defend and sustain itself.” The ceremony held at the Embassy presented one Slovak officer with the Meritorious Service Medal for service in his capacity as Senior National Representative at U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida; five officers received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at Iraqi Ground Forces Command in Baghdad. The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in a non-combat area, has distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service. The Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States. The names of the Slovak soldiers honored: Colonel Anton Sládeček, Major Richard Kollár, Captain Peter Bielik, Captain Vladimir Gažo, Captain Miroslav Zástera and First Lieutenant Peter Garaj.