Daily Duties in Bosnia

Heroes Remember

Daily Duties in Bosnia

Transcript

Bosnia was really different because it was right like during the conflict. So it was more of an eye opener to how evil people can be. One time we were driving through, actually we were leaving Srebrenica to go home and we woke up and an entire village was being burned. You really see the dark side of people. Helping people is great and then when you see the dark side it kind of balances everything out and it sticks with you for a while. In ’92 I was with Pioneer Platoon so we were doing low level mine clearances. In Srebrenica we were doing weapons destruction, clearing fields for OP’s and stuff and then just regular patrols, going out and making sure people are okay. Trying to work a little bit on infrastructure, you know, building the odd bridge here and there but it was pretty much just go wherever they needed help, just go and help them. Long days, some days were really long and you go back to your tent and we were in tents for seven months. Go back to your tent and back at it again the next day. Kind of gets like the ground hog day, every day is the same just keep on going out.

Description

While deployed in Bosnia, Mr. Reist speaks about his daily experiences and duties.

Mike Reist

Mr. Mike Reist was born December 18, 1969 in Waterloo, Ontario. Having had a great uncle as a role model, Mike made the choice to join the Canadian Forces, only advising his family of these intentions two weeks prior to attending infantry training. Mike joined with 2 RCR, 2nd Battalion Infantry Division and held rank of warrant officer. Mike has a long record of service overseas - Cyprus 1991, Bosnia 1992,’96, ’99, Africa 2000, Afghanistan 2003, ’07 and Haiti in 2005. Mike had 27½ years of military service. Mike is very proud of his military career and is quoted as saying, “It’s the best thing that ever happened!” Upon medical release, Mike was stricken with PTSD and has become an advocate in speaking out about this condition. He is presently active with the Soldier On program and has competed in the Invictus Games in Toronto 2017 as part of Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby. Mike presently resides in Gagetown, New Brunswick with his wife and family.

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