The White House released on its official website a letter that the Bosnian Emir Hadzic sent to Barack Obama, the President of the United States.
As Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine of the United States, Hadzic recently spoke to the media about more and more frequent incidents of anti-Muslim propaganda in the country, which are led by Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
Since Hadzic came to California as a refugee from BiH in 1995, he decided to thank the country that welcomed him by joining the US Army. According to him, the US forces were among the peacekeeping forces in BiH during the war, thus he decided to join the Marines as a way to repay the debt to the United States. He stayed in the Marine Corps up to date.
Sergeant Hadzic recently sent the letter to the US President stating in that his service in the American army is coming to an end after almost twenty years, and that he is looking at the time of service to the United States with pride and humility.
He wrote following:
June 2, 2016
Dear Mr. President,
As I bring two decades of military service to a close, I keep reflecting over my time on duty and cannot help but walk away with a mix of pride and humility. Eight deployments, three combat tours, and many friends made, I look back with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the opportunity given to me.
I immigrated to the United States shortly before the cessation of hostilities in my native country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many broken peace deals resulted in continued bloodshed and a genocide. However, the Dayton Peace Accord lasted and brought peace. There are many factors that contributed to the success of that peace accord, as there were many factors that contributed toward my decision to serve in the American armed forces. The chief factor for me was a feeling of an obligation to repay a debt, as I felt indebted to the American people who welcomed my family and my people to the United States. Goodhearted American people helped us start a new life here free home persecution and hostility. I believe that we have become those Americans too. As the first Bosnian-American in the U.S. Marine Corps, I had the role of a pathfinder was well a good cultural ambassador. I believe that I succeeded.
Although I am one of many Bosnian-Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces, I am also one of many more Americans of Islamic faith who serve. I want to thank you Mr. President, for “watching our six” during these challenging times in the political discourse. I do thank your predecessors for doing the same in the past. We love God, we love our country, and we love our neighbors too. Anyone who challenges that, deserves to be challenged back. On the global stage, thank you for your steadfast leadership and prudent patience. Thank you for being a man of action when warranted, but also for being a man of peace. I know war and I know peace, and as the ancient saying goes: “War is sweet to those that never have experienced it.” Finally, thank you for being a principled leader as our Commander in Chief whose vision is through a wide lens and an eye on “the big picture.”
I thank God for guiding me along, even carrying at times. I thank America for opportunities it gave me and for opportunities it continues to provide.
As I go home to Saint Louis, forging a new path, I wish you and your family the best as you being a new journey in 2017 as well.
Mr. President,
Godspeed and Semper Fidelis!
Most respectfully and sincerely,
Emir Hadzic
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba/whitehouse.gov)
