The most precious moments in life are usually when you meet someone after a long time. Those reunions are dear and full of memories, anecdotes and experienced moments – those beautiful moments, less beautiful, happy and not so happy moments. One such reunion, unusual and interesting, occurred in the Home for Elderly Persons in Goražde.
Ibrahim Svraka and Kemal Batlak met again – two pilots of the aviation of former Yugoslavia. Reunion after 43 years was exceptionally emotional for both. In fact, Ibrahim found Kemal in this Home.
“Well there you are Kemo, you’re looking good,” Ibrahim said to his old friend. Kemal’s face lit up. Smile. Happy and somehow nostalgic. The memories started coming to life, all the way back to the seventies.
Ibrahim Svraka from Strgalina near Rudo and Kemal Batlak from Blagaj were then the cadets of the Air Force Military Academy in Zadar. It has been nearly half a century since the first meeting, and the two friends became true aces in the air meanwhile. They have experienced my things, flew over cities, countries and continents, the whole world was under their feet. Life seemed to have started at the Academy, when some flights were only wishes. They became realized dreams lately, but when that time came the both of them followed their path since Kemal was 24th and Ibrahim 25th class.
After training, two imposing pilot careers started with the decision of the supreme commander Tito. The boy from the Home for children without parental care in Mostar was transferred to transportation aviation, while the son of an imam from Strgačina near Rudo Ibrahim got transferred to combat aviation.
“We haven’t met since then, although our paths on the sky must have crossed. It is good that our paths crossed here because, imagine that Kemo, if we had met on the sky, that would be much worse,” Ibrahim laughed, happy because he found Kemal again.
Meeting with Kemal brought memories to life. Ibrahim says that there is a special friendship between pilots.
“There are no better friends for entire life. They are very connected. When I was told that Kemo is here, it felt as if I had met my brother. My dear friend, I hope that your life here will be good. You are not alone, we are all with you. We could have met on a better place, but it is not too bad here, either,” Ibrahim said to his friend Kemal.
(Source: klix.ba)
