Army Reserve responds terroist attacks - Attack on America - terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and the Pentagon, September 11, 2001 - Illustration

Army Reserve Magazine, Fall, 2001

For some of the 311th's soldiers, Friday the 14th was their first drill with the unit since graduating from Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va., a few weeks earlier. Keeping a close eye on them as they perform this difficult mission was a strong core of experienced leaders. Several of their NCOs were with the company when it deployed to the Persian gulf and know first-hand the sort of work they are required to perform in the area next to the Pentagon.

One of the Gulf War vets is 1st Sgt. Jose Santiago. In his civilian job, he restores classic cars. He deployed with the company as a sergeant during Operation DESERT STORM and supported the 1st Armored Division. He wears the "Old Ironsides" combat patch on his right shoulder.

"This is different than in the desert," Santiago said. "There, bodies would be brought back to a forward collection point where we'd process the remains. Here, we're going through the rubble to find remains."

He said he saw "really nasty stuff" during the Gulf War but for the young soldiers in the company, this was going to be a big and difficult experience for them.

"I've got really good NCOs," Santiago said. "Seven of them -- six-men and one woman -- were with the company in the desert."

They and the other NCOs keep close watch on their soldiers, both on site and off.

Santiago said it was important to not let individual soldiers go off in a corner or isolate themselves from the others after they come off a shift at the site. They need to be kept informed of what is going on, they need to keep their minds busy, to go to the bowling alley or to engage in some physical training. He spoke from experience. He and his other NCOs are determined to make sure his soldiers benefit from that experience.

One of the youngest soldiers is Pvt. 2 Wilnette Perez-Padilla. She finished AIT at Fort Lee on August 28. Her first drill with the unit was on September 14.

"They asked for volunteers," she said. "My hand went up."

"It's a sad situation," she added, "but I'm extremely proud to be here to help our nation."

Her first day of operations at the Pentagon on September 17 started out by someone thanking her for what she was doing. That someone was the President of the United States.

Perez-Padilla was on hand, along with several other members of the 311th, when President Bush came by the Pentagon to meet with the reserve component chiefs. They got to shake his hand when he left that meeting. When told that the 311th was an Army Reserve company from Puerto Rico, the President exchanged a few words in Spanish with the company commander, 1st Lt. Hector Martinez.

After meeting the President, the 311th soldiers also visited with Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Plewes, Chief, Army Reserve. Then it was back to the north parking lot.

Soon, Perez-Padilla and her comrades were in biohazard suits and searching through tons of wreckage. The first day working in 12-hour shifts, the 311th went through 14 truck trailers full of debris. The remains they found were collected and bagged, for shipment to Dover AFB. Once the remains are identified, they can help bring some closure to the loved ones of the victims.