Escort Duty

Heroes Remember

Escort Duty

Transcript

One particular day we were doing an escort for some trucks, we were going to the, actually to the Olympic stadium in Sarajevo to deliver humanitarian aid. We used to drive underneath to the parking area and deliver all the food. This particular day I had the right flank of the vehicle and obviously, you know, always your weapon up at the ready, this particular weapon I had was a C7, and you’re looking out. You’re looking out at what’s happening and this young child, I can estimate his age at being 8 maybe 9 years old or something like that came out with a Russian type built rocket launcher; it wasn’t an RPG, it was the type that was disposable and opens like carvers and it’s an M72, but a different calibre if I’m not mistaken and he was aiming towards our vehicle but I couldn’t see in between this rocket launcher because if you see in between this rocket launcher, it’s empty, that means it’s not armed it doesn’t have a rocket in it but if you see that it’s solid and you don’t see a hole going through it that means it’s armed and somebody is aiming to kill you. This particular time I couldn’t see in between because the way that the child was positioned with the rocket launcher was waiting for us to go through so I caulked my weapon, put one on top, removed the safe leaver and had him in between my sights and I was, since he was a child I hesitated, because he’s a child, I think it’s an automatic reaction you have...and I froze. And I didn’t take the child’s life because I froze and he was a child but it appears to be when I went by it was empty

Description

Mr. Bojalil describes a situation where he encountered confrontation with a child supporting a rocket launcher and where quick decision had to be exercised.

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.

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