|
Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of the war in Iraq, and to mark the occasion, NY1 has been talking to New Yorkers who have served, are about to serve, and even those who are about to return for another tour of duty in Iraq.
NY1's Dean Meminger talks to a firefighter who is answering the call for a second time.
It's been five years of fighting in Iraq with nearly 4,000 U.S soldiers killed in the war. So for Bronx resident, Sergeant Juan Vega, it was bittersweet returning home from the war in 2004.
But now he has been redeployed and is currently training in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. We spoke with him over the phone.
"After it was declared a mission accomplished I thought that was it, but things happen. I guess there was a change of mind. I actually thought I would never go back there,β said Vega.
Initially, Vega went to Iraq with the New York State Army National Guard in 2003. But now the New York City firefighter has transferred to the U.S. Army reserve and is headed back to the conflict in a special operations command.
Reporter: Are you afraid you could die?
Vega: After 9/11, nothing surprises me. Being a fireman, you know, risking my life every day going to fires. Sometimes, my family and my friends think I'm a little crazy or a warmonger, but somebody's got do it. If that day comes that I have to give my life for the country, then I guess I will give my life for my family, my nephews, my nieces, my cousins, those youngsters that don't need to go through what we went through on 9/11. That's why I do it."
Being in the military is also a career choice for the 38 year old. Sergeant Vega has gained a lot of experience as a military police officer and a medic. But being in war takes its toll and just dealing with the heat and sand in Iraq can be grueling.
"When I first came back from Iraq, I refused to go to the beach, because I couldn't stand walking in the sand,β said Vega.
But now as the Bronx resident heads back to Iraq, it is personal. He has a brother in-law, who is going as well that he wants to try and look after. Vega also wants to make sure other troops can see their families.
βTo make sure that some of the soldiers, some of the brothers and sisters get relieved because they spend too much time out there. So I will do my part to make sure that they come home,β said Vega.
His family hopes he'll be coming home as well.
 |
