by Sgt. Marcia Jackson

VRBOVAC, Kosovo (Army News Service, Aug. 17, 1999) -- Farmers
here and in surrounding areas received help with harvesting
crops this year from Kosovo Force soldiers.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, conducted a
fueling mission Aug. 6. Tractors, owned by Albainians and
Serbians, lined the roads waiting to be issued their rations of
the "life giving" fluid.
"The fuel allows them to harvest their crops," said 1st Lt.
Jesse Goldman, Company A, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment.
"It also allows them to go to the marketplace to sell their
crops and get what they need for themselves and their families
to survive."
This is the third fueling operation the troops have executed
since they started patrolling this sector, according to Goldman,
whose company is attached to the  1-77th.
"We have given out about 1,000 gallons of fuel during every
mission," said Goldman. "Each farmer gets about 10 gallons of
fuel."
The mission, according to many Serbians and Albanians, is a
major success. They are getting much needed help and learning to
live together - peacefully.
"I feel good," said Aca Hikolic, a Serbian farmer. "(I am) so
glad that KFOR is here. They don't just help with fuel, they
help us with everything. There was a war between Albanians and
Serbians, but now I hope for peace."
 "When KFOR came, we stopped the fighting," said Isa Hasimi, an
Albanian farmer. We are both from Kosovo. We have to live
together."
Although most of the community is working toward a peaceful
existence, there are still a few in the sector who advocate
violence.
"At night, there is still firing," said Goldman. "We think they
are trying to scare the Serbs away, but we are here to protect
them. We need and will stop the aggressors, and they will be
brought to justice."
(Editor's note: Sgt. Marcia Jackson is a staff member of  Task
Force Falcon Public Affairs.)