http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19278124&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523588&rfi=6"I'm a President Bush supporter and have been vocal in my support of him," said Mendez, who painted a truck and plastered it with Bush campaign signs in each of the last two Presidential elections and prominently parked the truck on Boulevard East for all to see.
"Since I supported Bush so much and he was for the war in Iraq, I decided it was time to put my heart where my mouth is," Mendez said. "I was willing to go fight the war."
There was only one obstacle. When Mendez first thought about enlisting, he was too old. The Army wouldn't take anyone over 35.
So Mendez continued his career working in telecommunications, installing cell phone systems. His interest in the military was going to have to wait.
"But then I read that the Army started accepting applicants up to the age of 42," Mendez said. "With the age limit increase, I felt like I had a chance to serve."
New career at 36
So at the tender age of 36, Mendez went to an Army recruiting center in Jersey City and enlisted. snip
However, there was someone who was not - namely his wife, Gabriela.
"She wasn't happy at all," Mendez said. "She was not on board. She was angry that I was leaving her behind with two young boys
. I tried to talk to her about it, but she didn't want to listen. I told her that it was something that I simply had to do. I was willing to sacrifice my family and my career for my country."
After Mendez enlisted, he made sure that Gabriela and the boys were taken care of financially for a while.
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