Getting Bombed the First Day!!

We did get into a little bit of a situation the first day we got there, we got bombed, we got shelled either by mortars or artillery, I don’t really recall if it was mortars or artillery or a mix of but that was an eye opener for a lot of us for sure, I think for all of us because when we got there everything seemed to be pretty calm and relaxed, we were even playing frisbee, playing baseball, the tunes were rocking, you know, and as the evening started to settle suddenly we started hearing incoming artillery or mortars and they started folding in our camp. That was an eye opener for sure. We ran towards our vehicles and I remember my first thought was “This is going to be a long six months!!”

Mr. Bojalil describes the feeling when getting bombed upon arrival in Sarajevo.

Alfredo “Alphie” Bojalil

Mr. Alphie Bojalil was born in Mexico City, August 9, 1969. At the young age of 15, Mr. Bojalil had the keen desire to join the military as the discipline and adventure for travel intrigued his interest. In 1988-89, Mr. Bojalil went to Battle School in Petawawa, Ontario and joined the Royal Canadian Regiment. After his training, Mr. Bojalil was posted to Germany where he remained for 2 years. A big part of Mr. Bojalil’s military career involved his participation as a peacekeeper with 3 RCR, November Company where he and a contingent of soldiers travelled to the besiege city of Sarajevo in 1992 with their main task to reopen the airport and provide humanitarian aid and supply to the people of this city. For this, Mr. Bojalil gained recognition and was awarded the Commander-In-Chief Commendation for his participation in this effort. After discharge from the military, Mr. Bojalil became a strong advocate for his fellow soldiers involved in this mission and has tirelessly worked to bring them together for a reunion in 2009. Mr. Bojalil remains a strong voice for his service and holds great pride for his unit’s accomplishments. Mr. Bojalil married and has one daughter.