The fourth and final two-week rotation of the 105^th Engineer Group and 505^th Engineer Battalion, North Carolina National Guard honed their engineering skills and built lasting friendships while constructing a medical and dental clinic for the local orphanage.

Cornerstone 2000, an exercise conducted in the spirit of the Partnership for Peace Program and the state partnership program between North Carolina and Moldova, involved both active and Guard components of the Army and Navy as well as Moldovan soldiers and civilian.

Active Army soldiers from the 130^th Engineer Brigade, Hanau, Germany, Navy Seabees from Rota, Spain and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and guard soldiers combined efforts to construct a medical clinic for the Straseni Orphanage while building cooperation, respect and understanding between the nation’s military forces.

"Cornerstone 2000 was an excellent opportunity for the engineers to not only learn and practice their trade but to really make an impact on a community," said Cpt. John Hudson, Chief of Construction Management, 130^th Engineer Brigade, of the two-month project.

"When both sides came together, American and Moldovan, there was a lot of hesitancy. We didn’t know what their capabilities were or what their culture was like," said Col. Todd Semonite, commander of the 130^th Engineer Brigade. "It took a while for the team to form."

"Whether in the battlefield or working on a humanitarian construction project like this, you see the person next to you working just as hard as you are. That’s where the bond begins to grow," said Semonite.

Constant interaction between the soldiers at the construction site and during free time at the base camp gave them the opportunity to experience the differences of another culture.

Since the breakup of the former Soviet Union the people of Moldova continue to adjust to a new way of life, said Spc. Bryan Fountain, Detachment Company B, 505^th Engineer Brigade.

Working with the Moldovan soldiers was a good experience, said Staff Sgt. Russell J. Thorington, 505^th Engineer Battalion.

"We got to see how they work and we got to learn about their culture," said Thorington.

"Anytime you are learning, there is something good going on," said Thorington.

"Its one thing to go in as an American and build something," said Seminote. "What is critical is to be able to work and understand their way of doing things and put both of these teams together and be able to come up with a final project."

"We built a great relationship between American forces and Moldovan engineers," said Seminote.

"Cornerstone 2000 turned out to be a great project and a great opportunity to bring a team together," said Seminote.