Screenshot by Alejandra Yañez / The Rider
Alejandra Yañez | THE RIDER
The tragedy that transpired on Sept. 11, 2001 will forever be remembered by Americans throughout the nation. However, those personally affected by this attack are not limited to those who lost loved ones on that somber day. For many, the aftermath would change the trajectory of their lives.
The Rider interviewed Master Sgt. Andres De Jesus, a senior military science instructor at UTRGV, to learn the effects Sept. 11 had on his life.
De Jesus said he was 24 at the time and was at a recruiting station taking a military entry test when his recruiter interrupted to announce that the World Trade Center had been attacked.
Asked how he felt in that moment, he replied that he was scared, but knew he had a calling to serve.
“I was already thinking of joining the army before 9/11, but that put more motivation on me to join the service,” De Jesus said.
Not even a month later, he was officially shipped out from Puerto Rico to Fort Sill, Oklahoma to begin boot camp and basic training.
Asked how the results of the attack affected his career, De Jesus replied, “Well, it was pretty different because before, in what we call peace time, we would stay put in the states and we’d pretty much be working until 5 p.m. like a normal job. But, as soon as we declared that we were going to fight, it was like we were gone for years then came back. And when you came back you had to leave your house for months to train and prepare yourself to leave again for another year.”
De Jesus has been serving for 18 years and in that time has been deployed to combat five times in both Iraq and Afghanistan, as a result of the attack on Sept. 11.
One of his tours was over 13 months and he said the separation from home took a toll on his personal life.
“Half of my career has been in those areas,” De Jesus said. “So, I missed a lot of what a normal personal life could be. Between kids birthdays, Father’s Days, Mother’s Days and all that stuff, but on the same token I like what I did and how much it’s given me the opportunity to become successful as a professional.”
He said he spent a year in Iraq and came home only to spend the following 10 months training in preparation to leave again. For him, this was the most significant and tedious impact that he and his family endured from 9/11.
Asked how he commemorates those who lost their lives on 9/11, De Jesus replied that he remembers the sacrifices of the first responders and respects the honor they brought to the nation.
“This year, [due to COVID-19] it will be difficult to present honors to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, but at the same time they’re always going to stay in our hearts and in our minds,” he said. “So, we should take a moment on that day and remember what happened.”
De Jesus said the ROTC also tries to show presence and respect on 9/11 by participating in memorial ceremonies.
Asked what message he has for the campus community, De Jesus replied, “It’s always an honor to serve for the nation. The United States is a great nation. The United States Army offers so much to the community, to the nation and to you as a person. It’s not for everybody, but it could give you the opportunity to open so many doors in the future. You will learn many skill sets from this career.”
After 18 years of service, De Jesus said he is honored to have the opportunity to teach and mentor the young, courageous men and women who have decided to defend the colors of this nation.
He encourages the campus community to look into the ROTC program at UTRGV where his mission is to mentor the future generation of leaders.
Despite the pandemic, the university’s Civic Engagement Alliance will host an Instagram live session at 1 p.m. on Friday to educate the UTRGV student body about what Patriots Day is and how it has impacted the United States.
Student Activities and the Civic Engagement Alliance are also accepting submissions for its Patriots Day Art Submission contest. Students interested in participating can tag @utrgvcea to their design submissions on Instagram or email designs to cea@utrgv.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday. The winner will be announced on September 14.
Designs can be any medium of art such as a drawing, painting, dance, lip sync or portrait of how you honor the remembrance of our heroes, according to the event’s description.
