Events 2007

Ambassador Graber at Czech military base

Ambassador Graber Awards Czech Troops; Makes Tandem Parachute Jump

October 5, 2007

Ambassador Richard Graber, during his visit to the Prostejov base in central Moravia, decorated five Special Forces troops from the  Prostejov unit. The Ambassador stressed that the troops’ professionalism equals the best U.S. forces.

The Prostejov-based troops are ready to be deployed in Afghanistan, Military Intelligence Officer Ondrej Palenik stated after Ambassador Graber’s visit. Palenik added that any U.S. request has to be approved by the Czech government and the cabinet. He noted that the troops might operate in southern or eastern Afghanistan, where the struggle is very tough. Palenik said, "There is still a real war in Afghanistan, even though the ferocity is not as strong as in 2006." In addition to meeting with the troops, Ambassador Graber also visited he city of Prostejov and met with local representatives.

A highlight of  the October 2 visit was the Ambassador’s first-ever tandem parachute jump. Both the Ambassador and his wife, Alexandria Graber, made  tandem jumps from 4000 meters above the Czech military base. The Ambassador was at a loss to describe the beauty of the experience.