Courtesy Photo | Former Bosnian refugee, Spc. Mladen Sudarevic, is now a gunner and driver for 324th...... read more read more
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Sgt. Waine D. Haley
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AD DAWR, Iraq (April 3, 2006) - Americans join the Armed Forces for many different reasons, but this Bosnia/Herzegovina refugee joined the U.S Army Reserves to fight for his new home, the United States of America.
After 9/11, Spc. Mladen Sudarevic, now from Aurora, Colorado, stepped forward with mixed emotions of loyalty, honor and outrage as he enlisted to the 324th Psychological Tactical Company, U.S. Army Reserves.
"I joined the U.S. Army Reserves so I could give a little back to the country that gave so much to me," Sudarevic said. "I felt compelled to defend my adopted country after the 9/11 attack."
Sudarevic spent three and a half years in Bosnia during their civil war. He moved to the United States when he was 17-years-old. After the 9/11 attacks, he felt like his country was under siege again.
"I wasn't old enough to serve in the military in Bosnia during their civil war," Sudarevic said. "I am old enough now and I feel American these days."
The type of Army unit that Sudarevic serves with is designed to work directly with the local civilian population. Its main function is to show the positive mission of Coalition Forces to the people of Iraq.
"I feel that after spending time in Bosnia during their war, I can relate to the people in Iraq," Sudarevic said. "They fear for their lives and they fear foreign occupation. I feel they understand that we [Coalition Forces] are not the bad people but, we are still foreigners. These people have a lot of fears...the same type of fears I had in Bosnia."
Sudarevic shows a sense of compassion for the Iraqi people and he believes they sense this and respond to it. He understands the hardships they are going through.
"I think all Iraqis will look back on this experience and understand it was for the betterment of their country," Sudarevic said. "They will eventually understand, although painful, it was a better part of their history."
One of Sudarevic's most memorable experiences is when his team visited a village near Baji, Iraq. They were the first group of Coalitions Forces that came through this village to help the local people.
Sudarevic recalls most of the people were sick because of contaminated water. The village's main source of water was a well, directly next to the sewer system.
"Everyone was very afraid and didn't know how to act," Sudarevic said. "After a couple of hours of mingling with the children and the doctor treating the locals, they started feeling more relaxed and more people started coming out of their houses."
Sudarevic believes the people of Iraq are basically good, and only a fraction of the people keep resisting. He understands people just want a better life for themselves and their children.
"It felt good to help them and felt better knowing we made a positive difference," Sudarevic said. "They realized we're not such bad people after all."
Sudarevic thinks the military is a great experience. He feels by serving in the military he is serving his new country to the best of his ability.
"I was lucky that the United States let me come in as a refugee of the war," Sudarevic said. "I came to Colorado and the people were great. I had awesome sponsors that helped me transition to the U.S. society. The refugee service is a church based organization."
Sudarevic came over with his mother, his only living relative and very few possessions.
"We lost everything in the war," he said. "I didn't speak English very well but I was able to bring over a translation dictionary. I tried to learn ten new words everyday. "
As Sudarevic was learning English, he was working hard to become independent of the assistance the Social System was giving him.
"I heard that you could go from one business to another turning in applications so I did this -- by the third day I had a job at a popular fast food restaurant," he said. I worked there for a year, long enough to learn English and to take another step up the social ladder.
His personal records were also lost so he had to test out of high school. Soon after, he received a scholarship to Colorado Mountain College and received an associate's degree in Liberal Arts.
Now, when Sudarevic isn't working with the Army Reserves, he's making a six- figure-income working in the computer fraud and security industry.
Sudarevic maintains contact with his friends from Bosnia who are scattered throughout Europe. Even though his friends were able to get assistance in different countries, he does not feel they have had the same opportunities he's been given in the U.S.
"That's what I needed. I didn't need any hand outs," said Sudarevic. "I just needed an opportunity to help myself, and that's what the United States gave me. I did it with my own hard work."
"I believe the United States is the land of opportunities," said Sudarevic. "Those who are willing to take advantage of them have a good chance at succeeding in life."
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| Date Taken: | 04.06.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.06.2006 16:05 |
| Story ID: | 5981 |
| Location: | AD DAWR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 497 |
| Downloads: | 200 |
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