FORT STEWART, Ga. - After the nation's tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, many joined the military out of their patriotism. In 2006, Staff Sgt. Alex Fernandez, a native of Rockland County, New York, joined the Army to become an infantryman. Ten years after he joined, he was able to reenlist indefinitely at the very place that motivated him to join. He reenlisted at the Sept. 11 memorial in New York, Feb. 3.
In comparison to other ceremonies, this reenlistment was difficult to arrange. Fernandez is an infantryman from Troop C, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which was supporting a U.S. Army Reserve unit at Fort Dix, N.J. at the time. His unit didn't have much time to coordinate. Troop C was at Fort Dix, supporting 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) as an oppositional force during a war exercise.
Initially, Fernandez suggested the road trip ceremony as a joke shortly before his unit was set to return to Fort Stewart, Ga. Reenlisting at the memorial brought him back to his roots, to what actually instilled motivation to join.
He said he could still feel the severity of what took place on 9/11.
"I hadn't been to Ground Zero since 9/11, so it's been 15 years," Fernandez said. "When I went back there I was surprised to see such a big hole. It was a whole internal emotional thing for me, it was hard just to keep a straight face."
Fernandez lost many fellow Soldiers during his two combat deployments to Afghanistan. This was also a driving factor for him to lengthen his service contract.
"I feel like every day I wake up it's just another day I'm living for their families because they left," Fernandez said. "I do it for the guys that aren't here, I do it for the guys that are no longer living."
He does it for Manny Lopez, a good friend who is no longer here, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd IBCT.
"I had a good family friend who I played baseball with my entire life, Manny Lopez. He joined the military and deployed with Charlie Company, 3-7 Infantry Battalion," Fernandez said about his brother-in-arms. "While he was deployed, Cpl. Manny Lopez died. In his honor, they named two streets from where I live 'Manny Lopez Boulevard'."
Fernandez reenlisting indefinitely, or until a service member is to retire, showed dedication to duty and service.
"When he reenlisted indefinite it shows that he is motivated he is willing to learn and progress," said 1st Lt. Stephen Plante, Fernandez's platoon leader.
"I love everything about the Army," Fernandez said. "I love that I can impact Soldiers and I can lead from the front."
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