SYRACUSE, N.Y. — CNY Central’s Brandon Roth is a veteran. Here, he tells us about the time he voted in Bosnia in 1996, just after the war ended. He was deployed to Eagle Base. He said it made you appreciate democracy.
“We voted, just like any American,” said Roth. “But it was odd to vote, literally on a base with sandbags, with a fully automatic rifle with 160 rounds at all times, because it was a combat zone.”
When Roth served, he also helped with security measures for the Bosnian elections. It was the first time any Bosnian voted because they were previously under a communist dictatorship. He described the experience of providing security as emotional.
“It really made you appreciate being an American,” said Roth. “I remember an older lady crying because she never voted in her life.”
He added, “We really take that for granted here.”
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Roth’s father served. He said that was part of why he wanted to enlist. He said his experience in Bosnia really spoke to him about why men and women serve.