26 years ago Sarajevo had honor of holding the Winter Olympics in 1984
I remember watching these games on TV. I thought the mountains and area looked so beautiful.... Kind of like Truckee, California.
When I was deployed to Bosnia in 2003-04, On a Peace Keeping Mission, I had a chance to go to Sarejevo. It was a mess. Most of the buildings were still shot up or destroyed from the battle and siege of Sarajevo from 5 April 1992 to 28 February 1994.
The total number killed in the war in Bosnia was reported to be over 200,000. Some asked why there is not exact count to this day…because so many were buried in mass graves or fled the country and were never accounted for.
I remember driving through some of the neighborhoods that had most of the homes destroyed. One of my security team members asked me why the owners had still not returned and rebuilt. I told him because they were either dead, or living in another country now.
One thing I have learned from wars, we should never have another one. It’s one thing to end a war that some asshole started, but it’s so wrong to start a war. Even after talking to many citizens in Bosnia, I still can’t understand why in the hell they started to kill each other.
Well, Bosnia still looks like Truckee, California, but with about half a million land mines still scattered around.
Enjoy the Winter Olympics.
8 comments:
Now that would make a great Olympic sport. Line people up side by side and have them run across an open field or abandon farm. The winner would be the one who makes it across first without being blown to bits - taking three or four out with him. The contestants could also be the worlds leaders.
Well I for one sure hope the Van Olympics don't follow in the Sarajevan foot steps!
I mean, I know there've been problems, but that seems a little extreme.
Poor people, to have to abandon their homes and properties and begin again. Even worse when no one even knows what it was all about.
Coffey, you're such a sentimental man, its deeply touching : )
I like the idea that Coffey had except let's make it the "1000 yard dash for life" and add the machine gun nest{s} to help with the 'get it in gear' action.
Miss Em
Coffeeee, how about we do this:
Any leader of a country who wants to start a war, has to go to our olympic games. If they survive, then they can do what they want.
PG, I think the folks in Canada are too nice to start a war in Canada...
Miss E, See my commnents for Coffeee.
And as for Curling....WTF is that about? I'd shoot the stone down the ice with a .45 to make it more of a challange.
Comparing Sarajevo to Truckee is pricelss... I wish I could remember the quote about how the Soldier above all others finds war distasteful. I'll have to look that one up, but that's what your post reminds me of
War:
"Some people think it's good for you to die for your country. Bullshit, make the other son of a bitch die for his."
"War is hell, no, it sucks."
I just felt like a tan covered target for 1 year.
Hm, I wouldn't wanna be the unfortunate feller that happened upon one of those half a million land mines.
It's a "blast" when you come across a land mine.
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