Army engineers, Serb soldiers build bridges — of all kinds — in Bosnia
By Ron Jensen, Bosnia
bureau
Ron Jensen / Stars and Stripes
U.S. Army engineers and Serb Republic soldiers completed two bridge repair projects
Wednesday. |
NOVA KASABA, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Bridges are frequently built here —
both the metaphorical type and the physical ones.
Perhaps both were built in recent days when U.S. Army engineers and soldiers from the
Serb Republic repaired two bridges across the Drinjaca River south of Zvornik.
As the final boards were cut and hammered into place under a sun-filled sky Wednesday,
the attitude was one reminiscent of the last day of school, with laughing and singing and
general good times.
“I think it’s been fun all the way around,” said Sgt. John Richardson.
“I think everyone out here is enjoying themselves.”
The U.S. troops on the project were National Guardsmen from Georgia, part of Company C,
648th Engineer Battalion. The Bosnian Serb soldiers were from the 55th Reconnaissance
Detachment, who, although not engineers, were more than capable of carrying boards and
pounding nails.
“They’re just infantry. In fact, special forces,” said 2nd Lt. David
Henderson. “They supplied about 10 guys to help us out. It’s been good working
with them.”
Richardson said, “They’re pretty exceptional. You tell them what to do; they
do it.”
Unfortunately, the Bosnian Serb soldiers were not allowed to talk to the press or even
give their names. But from observation as the sounds of a saw cutting wood and hammers
striking nails echoed through the quiet river valley, they seemed to work in unison.
They jumped from one board to another and raced each other to drive their handful of
nails into the freshly cut wood.
“I think it was good teamwork,” said Sgt. John Barnard. “It was a good
experience.”
The bridges repaired are two Bailey bridges with a metal superstructure. The wooden
deck had deteriorated, however, and had to be replaced, Henderson said.
The second bridge repaired has been home for several years to a blind dog named Tos.
The Serb soldiers, who have a base nearby, have been feeding the animal since the end of
the war. Tos frequently wandered haltingly around the banks of the river while the troops
worked, drawing sympathetic looks from the Americans, who were told not to approach the
dog.
Because of the animal, the bridge, too, has been dubbed Tos.
When the work finally was complete, the relationship was not suddenly to end. The local
soldiers, who spent much of their off-time playing spirited games of volleyball as the
Americans watched, challenged their new acquaintances to a game.
Americans asked about the possible outcome said they expected to lose.
But there already may have been a victory for everyone. Two bridges have been repaired,
and another type of bridge may have been constructed. Time will tell.
Richardson said it was an experience he will never forget. “I’ve really
enjoyed this. It’s a great experience,” he said. “I think this is something
that every Guardsman should be able to do.”
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