I was honored to meet an extraordinary Puerto Rican woman during Hispanic Heritage Month. Her name is Sergeant Nelida Rios (lovingly known as “Sarge”). Without a doubt, she is a role model for bravery, strength, determination, faith, and discipline. Her story is so impactful that her own words can tell this amazing story better than mine. Here is what Sergeant Nelida Rios told us about her life experiences in her own words.
“It was my day off. After working for two straight days as part of the joint military/police team that patrolled Battery Park New York City, on September 9 and 10, 2001, I was looking forward to sleeping. I went to bed that September 10th night, but I could not sleep. I kept having nightmares that a big explosion opened the sky up, and that something fell and hit me on the head. I tried to relax and get back to sleep, but then I received a call to pack up my duffle bag and head back out to the World Trade Center. I tried to be excused from going, but in the Army, you must report for duty when duty calls. Plus, ‘Sarge’ never complains!
So, I got dressed, prepared my duffle bag, jumped on my motorcycle, and headed out. I stopped at a coffee shop for a strong cup of coffee and a jelly donut to help keep me awake. Early that September 11th morning, I arrived at the scene to start my tour as usual. The morning air was brisk and pleasant. But all semblance of peace was destroyed at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001. I heard a very loud noise. I looked up in disbelief and saw a plane colliding into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It was American Airlines Flight 11.
Right before the plane hit, a young woman with two children was a few feet away from me. She had earphones on and did not hear me yelling at her to run towards me for cover. One of her little boys saw me, and as he ran towards me, the plane crashed into the tower. A part of the wreckage fell, crushing the woman and her other child.
I was still holding my coffee when blood fell from the air and landed in my cup.
The horror was overwhelming. Body parts were flying everywhere—a head here, an arm there. I was bruised and dazed by the explosions, when suddenly, my years of experience in the military kicked in.
I WORKED IN THE MIDDLE OF HELL
My military training saved me and others because I had previously been in Hell before when on July 17, 1996, a Boeing 747 airplane, Trans World Airlines Flight 800, exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near East Moriches, New York. I had been part of the search and recovery team for that disaster.
With the events of 9/11, my work continued. After three days of rest, as commanded by then Mayor Giuliani, I was appointed as the Liaison for the Joint Task Force at Ground Zero. Thereafter, the Gulf War ensued, and the Army sent me to Iraq. The assignment was grueling. We walked in temperatures of 115 degrees Fahrenheit with 125 pounds of gear to carry. Our drinking water supply was insufficient, and we could not bathe for days at a time. It was difficult for everyone, but it was even more challenging for females. The Army does not distinguish between male or female troops; we are all seen as soldiers. I was so severely injured in Iraq that I had to spend a lot of time receiving physical rehabilitation.
When I returned to the United States, I began to experience back problems and requested a breast reduction to alleviate the pain. Months before that, I had a mammogram that tested normal, yet when the reduction surgery began, the surgeons noticed cancer. Once again, I found myself in a life-or-death battle. But I won that battle as well.
I am incredibly grateful and have a lot of faith in God. I seem to have nine lives, just like cats do. Oh yeah! Humor is so important too! Always remember to laugh. Now I go to the Veterans Hospital and make the soldiers laugh. They know me. I tell them, ‘Get out of that chair! Come on, let’s go!’ ‘Ok, Sarge!’ They respond.
Looking back, I realize now that I wanted to be in the military because I always sought a paternal presence. The Army became the source of discipline and paternal influence I desired. I served for thirty-four years, twenty of which was on active duty. Now, I am happily retired from the military.
Everything I have seen in my life has made me the person I am today. My eyes have been opened and given me new perspective. The loss of life because of the 1996 crash of Flight 800 and because of the attacks of 9/11 taught me how tentative life is. We can be gone in a second.
In Iraq, families were hungry, and poverty was severe. I am grateful for every convenience we have here. For example, we can shower, dress, eat well and drink water every day. We have these necessities easily available to us. I also learned that we could strive to be whatever we want to be.
My advice is to always be positive; life is what you make it. Do not let anyone take you down. Be grateful for what you have. God has a purpose for us all. Who could have imagined that a girl like me, the tenth child out of ten siblings from a Puerto Rican family, would get to be a Sergeant in the U.S. Army? It has made me who I am today.”
Thank you for your service, Sergeant Nelida Rios; because of you, we can write and speak freely. You inspire us all! You are a hero who happens to also be a proud Latina!
