These experiences exposed me to the harsh realities of life in a
war zone, from children selling their siblings for candy to the
consistent danger of land mines. This deployment was a
significant shift from my previous experiences, demanding
adaptability and resilience. I remember watching the children
running around and noticed none of them played in the grass.
It seemed they only walked on concrete. They educated the
children about land mine risks, depriving them of childhood
joys. Bosnian kids were years ahead of US children in
understanding life’s challenges.
Life at Camp Bedrock was austere, with limited amenities and
the PX truck as our only source of shopping. As a soldier, life
was a blend of duty, relaxation, jokes, and pranks to break the
monotony. One memorable prank involved misleading flyers
about boot polishing services, highlighting the lighter side of
soldier camaraderie in challenging environments. We also posted
signs on April Fools’ Day that Lou Ferrigno was coming to talk
to everyone. Unaware of the date, people eagerly expected his
arrival. The jokes would get us through the times of missing our
families.
My responsibilities also included base support. Which
sometimes meant recovering vehicles outside the wire. These
missions underscored the adaptability and courage inherent in
military service. We often ventured into uncertain and
dangerous situations. An example is a Humvee falling off a steep
cliff. Their salvation relied solely on the axle stuck to the tree
stump. I had to pull them out with a winch from the wrecker.
Without the tree stump, they would have fallen 100 feet. No
injuries occurred on that miraculous day.
This book is letting out a peace of me that very few knew. I left everything in this book and hope you enjoy it. If it helps one family to understand the trials of PTSD, Then it is a win.
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