This is an older video. I don’t have the exact date. I must warn any younger viewers that parts of the video are graphic. The video tells of a pretty neat story of a Bristol Firefighter, John Jordan, who helped out the Sarajevo Firefighters. The video also shows what they were up against. Just watch the video!!!
The video states:
(Studio: Diane Sawyer) Bristol, Rhode Island, volunteer firefighter John Jordan, who has made trips to Bosnia to help the firefighters there, profiled; scenes shown from wartorn Sarajevo. [JORDAN - talks about fighting fires in Sarajevo while the snipers shoot.] Jordan shown delivering a shipment of firefighting equipment to Sarajevo. Jordan’s background reviewed; photos shown. [JORDAN - talks about the community nature of firefighting and helping to equip the men in Sarajevo.]
That guy has huge brass ones to to do that job. Well, done Mr. John Jordan…
That guy has huge brass ones to to do that job. Well, done Mr. John Jordan…
I haven't thought of John Jordan in a long, long time.
In May of 1994, as Managing Editor of The Fire Fighter Newspaper and as a guest of VFIS, I and three other local firefighters traveled to Washington DC to attend the National Fire & Emergency Services Congressional Caucus Dinner coordinated by the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
It was there that I met John Jordan and the Fire Chief of the Sarajevo Fire Brigade.
Your feature prompted me to write a blog about my own related personal experiences 15 years ago.
Visit http://www.tigerschmittendorf.com to read the whole story: http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2009/12/06/john-j…
My personal thanks to FireCritic for reminding me of a hero and one of the most rewarding missions I’ve ever had the honor to be involved in.
PS – I have some old news articles and background info about this whole experience. I’ll dig it up and add it to my blog.
Tiger,
Thanks for the comments. I am glad I could take you down memory lane!! I hope to learn more about John and maybe have a follow up report.
I haven't thought of John Jordan in a long, long time.
In May of 1994, as Managing Editor of The Fire Fighter Newspaper and as a guest of VFIS, I and three other local firefighters traveled to Washington DC to attend the National Fire & Emergency Services Congressional Caucus Dinner coordinated by the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
It was there that I met John Jordan and the Fire Chief of the Sarajevo Fire Brigade.
Your feature prompted me to write a blog about my own related personal experiences 15 years ago.
Visit http://www.tigerschmittendorf.com to read the whole story: http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2009/12/06/john-j…
My personal thanks to FireCritic for reminding me of a hero and one of the most rewarding missions I’ve ever had the honor to be involved in.
PS – I have some old news articles and background info about this whole experience. I’ll dig it up and add it to my blog.
Tiger,
Thanks for the comments. I am glad I could take you down memory lane!! I hope to learn more about John and maybe have a follow up report.
I worked in Sarajevo with the UNHCR with John Jordan and he is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Unfortunately my “Firemen Under Fire” T-shirt has dissolved due to time and wear. If you get this John, I need another one and I'm now living in Australia.
I worked in Sarajevo with the UNHCR with John Jordan and he is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Unfortunately my “Firemen Under Fire” T-shirt has dissolved due to time and wear. If you get this John, I need another one and I'm now living in Australia.
I worked in Sarajevo with the UNHCR with John Jordan and he is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Unfortunately my “Firemen Under Fire” T-shirt has dissolved due to time and wear. If you get this John, I need another one and I'm now living in Australia.
I was a US Marine stationed in Sarajevo in the summer of ’94. John took me under his wing, let me hang out at the fire station, and got me drunk once in Zagreb.
Anyone got a POC for John.
Joe Barnard (Cpl Barny)
I left Sarajevo 17 years ago. This summer I am going to the War Crimes Trial in the Hague to testify against the man who led those who killed the Sarajevo Firemen I helped bury. Justice can be slow, but it is worth waiting for.
Bosnian War ended for me August 28, 2012 when I testified against Gereral Mladic at his trial in the Hague. Much of the evidence gathered against General Mladic was provided by U.S. intelligence sources. Presidential candidate Bill Clinton called for action in Bosnia. President Bill Clinton did not act until the bodies were pilled too high to ignore. The Dayton “Peace” accords ended the war by validating the gains of General Mladic tanks. It was good to see the General in court. I only wish the men in Washington, London, Paris and Geneva who let him get away with so much for so long were sitting next to him.