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Show rSriopt January 11. 2001 15 9 Ilk ' Refugee center offers chance to right a wrong by Chaplain (Capt) Kenneth R. Beale 401st Expeditionary Air Base Group In 1993, on the date of her 25th wedding anniver- sary, Hanumica Izesbegavic and her husband heard a knock at the door. "Either get out or you will be killed." With the help of a few neighbors, they left their Janja home and fled to Tuzla. Before long, more women and more refugees poured into Tuzla With her with their children, and no place to go. own heart, heavy from personal losses, Hanumica was determined to do something. In 1996 she acquired the use of a building on the outskirts of Tuzla, and convinced the Swiss Red Cross that with their combined efforts, homeless children would be afforded the opportunity to remain with their mothers and begin to heal the emotional and physical losses of war. Mothers who had lost husbands and sons had refuge in Simin Hann. A future is born for those who could envision none and helplessness gives way to hope. Some might have preconceived notions on how orphans should look and act despondent, submissive and raggedy. Yet, when visiting Simin Hann, we saw children who could be aggressive and determined when grabbing for candy or gifts slippery, and motley as they swarmed around. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Trager Acting like New York models, Mirsada Salkic, left, Meva Omerovlc, center, for troops at the Simian Han refugee center. t f. : liV . v mmm and Almedina Salcinolic perform in a fashion show - wise-cracke- rs 1" w, .Mi a. v w Are these the children that are helpless and hopeless? Others might have had a different impression, aware of the pain and oppression lived by these children, forgiving their lack of control and respect. Seeing in them the attitude and demeanor of most any child in a playground or household surand caring adults, whether rounded by in Tuzla or in the United States. Getting into the mind of an orphan or widow is no easy task. Who can truly understand the pain of one who was evicted from their home and town because of their religious beliefs, or relate to the horrific memory of a child who witnessed a father or brother being killed because of their ethnicity? Imagine living in conditions where drinking water is polluted by garbage, sewers are backed up, and the potential for contracting diseases prevalent is great. Thank God, we rely solely on imagining the emotional and psychological scars that live in the hearts and minds of these victims. As military members, we recognize the importance of order and a Chain of Command. We have values that lead us to cohesiveness and perfection. We speak of Excellence, Integrity, and Service Before Self and we hold these ideals up as cornerstones for not only ourselves, but others as well. But what happens when your freedom has been ft well-meani- life-threateni- is not calm and bright in housing areas near the refugee center, above, which still show effects of the 1995 bombing. Airman Tonya Rowe talks with local girls after unloading supplies for the refugee center. All A Bosnian Christmas Children ask for normal life by Tech. Sgt Timothy taken away? When your loved ones have been killed? I had a lot to learn. Trager 401st EABG, chief of Public Affairs' On Dec 26, 45 members of the 401st Expeditionary Air Base Group, stationed atTuzla Air Base, visited the nearby Simin Hann refugee center to share some holiday goodwill. Bosnia-Herzegovin- a, The troops were delivering some much-neede- d supand to and women perhaps plies the orphaned children, as important to the children, delivering gifts from the military members stationed here. We had been encouraged by the chaplain to select a name from the Angel Tree. My angel was a ld girl who wanted makeup. Hie chaplain's assistant assembled makeup gift sets from the Base Exchange for guys like me who needed help with that type of gift I found it hard to understand why a refugee would want makeup. I had a notion in my head of what a refugee was supposed to look like, I thought they would be emaciated and dirty, submissive and scared. I also had the idea that with so many other military members helping out, my offering would be a very small and insignificant addition. The night before we went, Security Forces gave us a briefing on the dangers of a convoy in this area. It detailed points in the actual route we were taking that may have left us momentarily vulnerable to attack, and what the best option for escape or return fire was for each situation. I was a little nervous. We rode in two big blue buses, accompanied by a SecuHMMWV. And though the trip rity Forces Was uneventful, we heard a lot of fireworks going off at the side of the road because the people were celebrating the end of Ramadan. We even saw men shooting guns into the air from atop a tunnel we went through. This is another common practice around here. When we arrived at Simmin Han, there were kids jumping all around with excitement As we carried the supup-armor- ed plies and donations from the buses to the building, boys from the center were lighting firecrackers. I think it was a gesture of celebration, but it made srlot of noise and made all of us uncomfortable. , I thought they were guns at first" said Airman Tonya H See Children, page 16 - -- When your world has been torn apart? Simin Hann reminds us that war is chaos. That it is a break down of all that is decent and human. The children of Simin Hann are the unfortunate participants in an event based on preconceived notions that ultimately led to hate, violence, discrimination and death. Simin Hann exists today, years after the war, because too many have been displaced, homes have been destroyed or assumed by others who don't want the rightful owners to return. Simin Hann reminds us how terrible life can be, but also offers us the opportunity to right a wrong. Debates on how we might best be able to serve the widows and children of Simin Hann, as well as other refugee centers in the area, will continue. For now Simin Hann is able to provide hope for the future because of the continued support of the 401st EABG, Operation Joint Forge, as well as donations from church groups and organizations from Stateside and Europe. Beak is the Catholic chaplain for the 75th Air Base Wing at Hill AFB. |