An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 3, 2008

National Guard honors Bulgarian war dead

By Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill National Guard Bureau

SOFIA, Bulgaria - The chief of the National Guard Bureau honored Bulgaria's war dead during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bulgarian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier here June 2.

"We have come here this morning to pay our respects and honor the sacrifice of Bulgaria's Unknown Soldier, who represents the thousands of Bulgarian military members who gave their lives during World War I," LTG H Steven Blum said as he stood at the tomb with Donald Loren, deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland security integration, and LTG Galimir Pehlivanof, Bulgarian deputy chief of staff for operations and training.

Blum and other senior Guard officials are in Sofia for the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) Southeast Europe Regional Workshop.

The workshop brings together adjutant generals from 10 states and the defense chiefs of 10 Southeast European countries those states are partnered with. The senior military leaders are exchanging information and ideas to strengthen mutual security cooperation activities under SPP and the U.S. European Command and to promote stability and progress in Southeastern Europe, according to National Guard Bureau officials.

"This is also an opportunity for us to pay tribute to the brave Bulgarian soldiers of today who have given their lives in Iraq," Blum said. "Bulgaria's sacrifice in the ongoing war on terror is deeply appreciated."

Bulgarian soldiers, National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Guard civilians stood at attention during the ceremony at the tomb here in the heart of Sofia while passersby watched.

"No matter our nationalities, as Soldiers we share the sacred bond of service to our countries and deeply believe in the importance of remembering those who have fallen on the field of battle," Blum said. "Bulgaria has a proud and distinguished military history, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to acknowledge the courage and bravery of her Soldiers."

 

 

Related Articles
Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan, a general surgeon with the Delaware Army National Guard, is currently assigned to the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the Medical Director for KFOR Regional Command-East. She leads the charge to ensure troops stay healthy, mission-ready, and medically prepared for anything—even while deployed.
Delaware National Guard Surgeon Leads Multinational Medical Operations in Kosovo
By Sgt. Laura Bradley, | Aug. 19, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Delaware Army National Guard’s general surgeon Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan is at the heart of Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East, or KFOR RC-E, medical operations, overseeing medical readiness initiatives...

A UH-60 Black Hawk picks up water from a pond near the Rancho Fire about 30 miles north of Reno on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Nevada Army National Guard aviators activated 22 Soldiers on Aug. 3 operating one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60 Black Hawk from the Army Aviation Support Facility at Stead to support the Nevada Division of Forestry in Elko County. Days after coming off orders for that fire, Army aviators were called for the Rancho Fire. Orders ended this weekend after the fire's forward progression was halted.
Nevada National Guard Aerial Firefighters Mark Busy August
By Capt. Emerson Marcus, | Aug. 19, 2025
RENO, Nev. – Nevada National Guard aerial firefighting efforts have intensified this month as temperatures rise.Nevada Army National Guard aviators activated 22 Soldiers on Aug. 3, operating one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60...

Staff Sgt. Austin Duck, a team lead in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, leads his team during a training exercise at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind., July 26, 2025. Duck was recently awarded the 2024 EOD Master Blaster award in the non-commissioned officer Category. (U.S. Air national Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists from Kentucky Air Guard Recognized for Excellence
By Airman 1st Class Angelee Barnett, | Aug. 18, 2025
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, Flight have been recognized for excellence by the National Guard Bureau.Staff Sgt. Austin Duck was named EOD...