Oregon Army National Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat

Oregon Army National Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team 1st Lt. Heidi Gross visits a primary school Oct. 6, 2020, in Bivolak/Bivoljak, Kosovo. Gross is a member of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission in Kosovo and is charged with ensuring the safety and security of all Kosovo community members. Gross and other KFOR members delivered an array of donated school supplies to the school in Bivolak/Bivoljak which struggles to receive local government funding for student’s supplies and facilities. The donation was coordinated by the 41st IBCT’s Maj. Chad Plaisted, a planning officer within the KFOR Regional-Command East. “This has been a humbling experience for everyone involved in this donation,” said Plaisted. “These children are enthusiastic about learning, are very deserving, and I hope today’s donation inspires more giving in the future.” Gross, Plaisted and other 41st IBCT Soldiers have been deployed in Kosovo since the beginning of 2020 as members of the U.S.-led brigade level KFOR RC-E. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Miguel Ruiz)