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9/11 prompts members to join the Reserve

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MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 upon us, we thought we'd share a few of our fellow 446th AW Reservists' stories about what that prompted them to join, or rejoin, the Reserve after the events of that day.

Lt. Col. Eric Johnson, 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron

When the twin towers went down, when the Pentagon got hit, and the airplane crashed in Pennsylvania, I knew the United States would be involved in a big way. I was 53-years-old, worked as an anesthesiologist, and had no prior military experience. But I knew there would be a need for my medical expertise.

Within a week of the attack I began filling out papers to enter the Air Force Reserve. After receiving a presidential age waiver I was in. There was much to learn and many Air Force schools to attend in between my work.

My first deployment was to Iraq as the physician of a three-person critical care air transport team. We transported critically injured troops out of Iraq to Germany via C-17. I remember on my first mission thinking that any of these young men and women under my care could have been my own father in World War II, who was injured in the Aleutian Islands preparing for battle against the Japanese. It took more than two months and a combination of a PBY aircraft, ships, and trains to get my dear Dad out of Alaska to Walla Walla, Wash. for definitive care. In Iraq and Afghanistan we were getting these troops back to the United States in 24 to 48 hours from the time of the injury.

I have also deployed to Afghanistan.

Being a part of the United States military is my greatest honor. I'll stay in as long as they let me.

Master Sgt. Selina Barone, 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron

In January 2002, my son had an appointment with an Air Force Reserve recruiter and I was his 'taxi' driver. I was in the office during my son's interview. The recruiter asked him many questions; one of them was about our family's military history. I explained that I had been active-duty Air Force from 1984-88.

The interview came to an abrupt end when it was discovered that my son wasn't the required 17 years old or a senior in high school. The recruiter immediately turned his focus toward me and asked if I had thought about returning to duty. I was shocked!! I never had thought about it since I didn't know that it was option for me. Like many Americans, I was angry about 9/11 and was given a choice to join the fight. It was an easy decision, I am honored to say that I have been a member of the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron since May 2002. My son proudly joined the U.S. Army.

Tech. Sgt. Tereza Addington, 446th ASTS

It was a typical fall day as I drove to work with my husband when we heard the tragic news on the radio. I had this overwhelming desire to re-enlist after that. Not only was it my birthday, but I am originally from the East Coast. I had family that survived Sept. 11. I had a step sister who decided to go on vacation at the last minute and her apartment was right near the twin towers. My step dad had a cousin who worked in the twin towers, but called in sick that day. I knew that as an LPN I could be of some good in the Army, so I finally joined. I was assigned to the 396th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Vancouver barracks in Vancouver, Washington. January 2003 was my first drill and we were told that day that we will not be here by next drill and we were not. I was activated for up to two years for the fight on terrorism. I felt a sense of pride of wearing the uniform and standing in the gap for my family and friends and those that could not go. We mobilized in 72 hours, but our mission to deploy to Iraq never happened due to Northern Turkey not opening its borders. We were broken up in teams and distributed all over the world. I was deployed to the East Coast to Fort Dix, N.J. I worked there in my specialty as an LPN. We worked 14 to 16-hour days. My brother's unit was also activated for Sept. 11 and he had to come through our base to be mobilized. It was very surreal seeing your own brother being sent to fight the war on terrorism. We both know what it means to put our uniforms on. The pride we feel and the honor we get to do it. I was mobilized twice before I transferred into the Air Force in 2005. Each UTA I get to put my uniform on and get to help fight the war on terrorism as a medical technician/LPN. I am proud to serve my country and walk side by side with my fellow Airmen.

Tech. Sgt. Tom Raynor, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

I remember when it happened very clearly. I was on a business trip working for a retail company and was stranded due to the grounding of all aircraft. I had previously served 10 years on active duty during the "cold war" era. After Sept. 11, I considered rejoining the Air Force. I felt a sense of "unfinished business" and after looking into my options, I decided that the Air Force Reserve was my best bet. I joined as an integrated avionics technician and now work on C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. My renewed commitment led to fulltime service with deployments to Kyrgyzstan and Iraq, as well as trips to many other parts of the world to work. I can honestly say this was the best decision of my life and has led me to a higher level of satisfaction overall.

Staff. Sgt. Andrea Barrow, 446th Force Support Squadron

I was working as a dental assistant when Sept. 11 happened and I knew nothing about the military at the time. One of my coworkers, SSgt Heidi Hancock, had already been a Reservist. Watching her prepare herself to support the mission was amazing. I wanted to be a part of that and I felt my country needed me. I was the first person in my family to join the military and when I swore into the Reserve in July 2003, I knew it was an honor. My unit's wartime mission (mortuary affairs) was also a highlight for me as I recently completed my first six-month deployment to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operation center, Dover AFB, Del. earlier this year.

Staff Sgt. Houston Simpson, 86th Aerial Port Squadron

Sept. 11, was the beginning of my ninth-grade year in high school. Before that, I had never truly considered joining the military or had a desire to serve my country in such a manner. After that day, I began to feel a little different. As the days after Sept. 11 began to pass, I started thinking about how I could contribute to my country. In ninth grade, I felt as though there was little I could do in this regard, but I began to look for different avenues I could take in my life to benefit not only myself, but the lives of my family, friends and the prosperity of my country.

I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to be a piece of one the world's largest mosaics, I wanted to give back to my country, a country that had given so much to me. I have chosen to serve the people of this country to up-hold and "defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." because I believe that our country is great.

Shortly after graduating from high school, I spoke with a Coast Guard Reserve recruiter, because the events of Sept. 11 opened my eyes to the injustices of our world, to some of the many wrongs of our time and it opened my eyes to the sword and shield that protects our great country and its citizens. The United States military.

I recently transferred to the Air Force Reserve after serving with the U.S. Coast Guard.