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STORIES

Vicente Chargualaf

Veteran

Military Affiliations

  • Veteran Parent

MY connection to 9/11

  • I had a family member join the military after 9/11

Where were you when you first heard about or saw the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

Camp Doha, Kuwait, working as a contractor for Combat Support Associates (CSA) coalition forces. I was a communications center operator for a contract out of California; Holmes and Narver was our parent company started by retired General Norman Schwarzkopf. Calm before the storm again. I helped send personnel from the Darmstadt, Germany (S3) office for the 11th Air Defense, Signal Battalion, and deployed to Israel in support of the 32nd Air Defense Patriot Missile Command out of Cambrai Fritsche Kaserne in Darmstadt. Got reassigned to 4/43rd HHC to Israel on 17 January 1991 for Desert Storm. My youngest son graduated in 2004, joined the Army as an infantry soldier. Proud of my hero. He is currently back in the sandbox as an Army SFC platoon sergeant, fifth trip to the Middle East.

How did the events of that day shape your life and inspire your service to this country?

I was over there (Middle East) during/after 9/11. Younger son has three years to retire out of the Army. Three grandsons in uniform. One leaving for the navy in a week's time. All has been influenced by 9/11 and what is happening in the Middle East. Please Lord keep them all safe. Back in the Lone Star State to live.

What are you excited to contribute to your community, however you define it, for the next 20 years?

I was an honor guard life member 9170, Beeville Texas. Started the Riot/honor guard trainer for Southwest Region IV for southwest, Texas. Still have family members in uniform dealing with 9/11.

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