Waiting for their chance to serve

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT-MESA -- With just a phone call, thousands of lives could

drastically change, including many here.

President Bush signed an order Friday calling up 50,000 reservists to

take part in a mission to avenge the shocking terrorist attacks Tuesday,

which likely killed thousands of Americans.

George Sandoval of Costa Mesa is one of the many armed service

reservists who is on alert, ready to be deployed with only hours of

notice.

But the 25-year-old Marine reservist is not afraid. In fact, he said

he is itching to defend his country.

“If they call me, it would my pleasure to go out there and do what I

need to do,” Sandoval said. “It enrages me that anyone would take action

like this against America. I take it personally.”

Sandoval was on active duty until he broke his foot during an

intensive training drill in 1997. He now works as a house inspector but

said he would much rather be in the armed service like his younger

brother, who is stationed in Australia.

Sandoval knows his brother will be deployed soon but believes

impeccable training and instinct will keep him safe. In short time, he

hopes to join his brother -- and the rest of his Marine kin -- in the

fight.

“When you see your family out there, you want to be out there and have

their back like they have yours. That’s what we are trained to do, and

that is what we believe in,” Sandoval said.

Immigrants from Mexico, the Sandoval brothers joined the Marines

because they love America, Sandoval said.

This country has given the Sandoval family opportunities that they

never would have received in Mexico, he added.

“I may not have been born here, but I am willing to die for this

country,” he said.

Marcy Penzon, Sandoval’s fiancee, said his eagerness makes her a

little nervous, especially as they are planning to marry in August.

“He’s always been a person who was ready to go, but I respect his

decision,” Penzon said.

Army Reserve Col. Tom Umberg, who commands a unit of 60, knows what it

is like to be called for duty, having been deployed as a reservist in the

Gulf War. Back then, he received a phone call telling him he would be

getting his orders shortly. An hour later, he received a fax telling him

he had 36 hours to get to Ft. Irwindale.

“I was happy to serve. You want to do your part. That’s why people are

in uniform,” Umberg said.

Members of his unit are anxious to take action also.

“It is overwhelming and extremely heartening to see the outpouring of

people in my unit who are willing to do whatever they can to support this

mission,” said Umberg, who commands reservists from the Newport-Mesa

area. “My problem is not getting people to do things, it is having them

wait until they are notified.”

Umberg, a former state legislator, said reservists are showing up on

their own at the Los Alamitos Reserve Center. His unit has not received

any orders yet but is on alert, he said.

No branches of the military were able to give exact numbers on how

many reservists there are in Newport-Mesa.

Not only are reservists taking an active interest in the country’s

defense, but civilians also, Marine officials said. Traffic has increased

dramatically at the Huntington Beach recruitment office, a staff sergeant

said.

Although the Marines have not kept exact numbers of the increase in

interest, Gunnery Sgt. Ann Hodges said recruiters in Orange County are

receiving numerous phone calls from those interested in serving. Former

Marines, such as Sandoval, have also contacted recruitment offices,

expressing their willingness to come back.

Patriotism in former soldiers is hard to keep down, Sandoval said.

“We have traveled all around the world,” Sandoval said. “When you see

other countries, you see what you have is worth fighting for. It’s all

about a deep love for your country.”

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .