PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Afghan government officials joined members of Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Oklahoma National Guard’s 2-45th Agribusiness Development Team, for a New Year’s celebration at Forward Operating Base Gardez, March 26.
The celebration included a chance for coalition forces and GIRoA officials to socialize, eat lunch provided by a local restaurant owner and attend a tree-planting ceremony to symbolize the hope for a new year of success and growth in the province.
“The purpose of the event was to invite our Afghan partners to the FOB to celebrate the New Year,” said Michael Obryon, Paktya, PRT U.S. Department of State representative.“It was also an opportunity for us to deepen our relationships and to learn more about the Afghan New Year.”
The New Year holiday is a three-day affair in Afghanistan. The first day is the welcoming of the New Year, the second day is for the celebration of education and the third day is focused on the celebration of agriculture and growth.
The PRT and ADT are partnering with Paktya representatives and Afghan National Security Forces to honor those celebrations by delivering trees, backpacks, school supplies and athletic equipment to various schools throughout the province.
“The good coordination we have with our coalition partners shows great achievement for our province,” said Juma Khan Hamdard, the provincial governor. “I hope for a peaceful, secure and stable New Year.”