The Bosnia Perspective

January 2004

The Roto the World Forgot

by Tina Vezina

 Imagine being thousands of miles away from your family, only able to  speak with them as the day breaks, for fifteen minutes, once a week.  Anything  above that is a bonus because you know the line can go dead at  any time.

 The mail has arrived and your name is not called. It's not because  your  loved ones have forgotten about you. They have said that packages have  been sent. It's because your mission is now a low priority.  You're loved ones are at peace in a safe country. You are in a  country  trying to keep the peace.

 Christmas is nearing and the last mailbag has been opened. Again  there  is  nothing. You've been told there won't be any mail arriving until  after  the holidays. Your roto is a low priority.  You have friends in another country who are in more danger. They are  a high priority. Their spirits need to be lifted so they have entertainment coming in. It's a place that is in the news more often because the  fighting is fresher in the eyes and minds of the world. They need to reassure them that it's all worthwhile. They are the ones the world  is  watching. Canada has sent almost 2000 soldiers there. Your friends are  in Afghanistan. They are a high priority.

What about the 1900 soldiers that aren't there but are still away from  their spouses, children and extended families? The fighting is not as  fresh and new but you've been sent there to keep the peace. There  must be danger in this other country since there was so much training when you were told you were going. You would be able to go home and celebrate  the  holidays with your families if it wasn't dangerous. You wouldn't be  here  if there wasn't any danger.

 Yet only some of us will be home to see the lights on the Christmas tree and the house. To watch little faces shine as they open presents on Christmas morning will only be seen at Easter when you watch the  videotape  at home. You are a soldier sent to Bosnia. You are a low priority.

You've been separated from your family because it is your job. It was your career choice. No one ever said that it was going to be easy.  Our spouses worry about our safety, we worry about the support they are supposed to receive from the rear party.

 You are a soldier in Bosnia. You are part of the Roto the World  Forgot.