MCB Camp Pendleton

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;They could've gotten out, but bit the bullet to answer the threat

9 Sep 2002 | Cpl. Jose M. Montes Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Standing in line for roll call with the Los Angeles Police Department, it was just another day for Staff Sgt. Ryan J. White, until the unthinkable occurred 3,000 miles away on the other side of the country.

"It was surreal," said White, the company gunnery sergeant with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, a reserve unit from the San Fernando Valley, where White serves in the LAPD's Devonshire Division.

"I thought, 'this is a prelude to war' - it was my version of Pearl Harbor right in front of my eyes," he added.

Everyone lost something on 9/11, whether it be a loved one or simply their sense of security.

"As soon as I heard that the Pentagon was hit, I knew that we were going to war," said White, a reservist for the past three years assigned to a unit called up especially for homeland defense.

Sharing in his anguish over the deliberate crashing of airliners into the World Trade Center's twin towers was his wife of 10 years.

"I was terrified for him," said Mindi White. "I was afraid because the plane's original destination was Los Angeles, and I was afraid that maybe another plane was headed toward L.A. It was nerve-racking."

After hearing that his reserve company was being activated, White faced a battle within himself.

"We learned of our activation in early January last year, which coincided with the ending of my current contract. I wrestled with the idea of re-enlisting or just getting out," he said.

But at the end of the day, both White and his wife decided he'd stay in.

"We would never be able to have lived with ourselves, because we said 'no' to our country when it needed us the most," said White, father of 2-year-old Samantha.

"We were never able to serve during a time of war before, so we were very happy to do it," his wife added.

While White was on active duty, his family faced long deployments and temporary additional duties. But being activated was probably the hardest yet.

"We sold our house in Palmdale, that way, me and my girls could be closer together," White said.

"It was hard to sell our house, but once we got to San Clemente, I knew this was where we had to be," Mindi said. "For the sake of our family, we knew we had to sell our house and be together."

Long hours at work and time spent in the field also are trying for the family.
Samantha often wonders when her daddy will come home. Mom reassures her.

"I do explain to her that her daddy is working and he'll be home later," Mindi says.

"She keeps me sane," White said. "My daughter is a trooper and she is taking this in stride."

Another burden is a smaller income, although the LAPD offers a supplement to military reservists on the force who've been called to active duty.

"The LAPD has helped supplement my pay," White said. "But the biggest change is that the Marine Corps does not pay you time and a half."

Although 2/23's future is uncertain, White believes his company is ready to do its job when called upon.

"I'm proud of most of the Marines here," White said. "People think reserve Marines are nasty, but I tell you, I would put our battalion up against any other in the Marine Corps and they would not disappoint me."

White says his best years in the Marine Corps have come as a reservist.

"I've enjoyed my time as a reservist more, because when being a Marine gets to be routine, I get to go back and chase people on the street," he said.

Although the country might call the military heroes for the service they provide their country, White says others are more deserving of the label.

"The real heroes are the families involved in all of this," White said. "My personal hero is my wife, who sold her house to be with me, as well as the countless Marines who have been activated, many of whom did not have to."

;They could've gotten out, but bit the bullet to answer the threat

9 Sep 2002 | Cpl. Jose M. Montes Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Standing in line for roll call with the Los Angeles Police Department, it was just another day for Staff Sgt. Ryan J. White, until the unthinkable occurred 3,000 miles away on the other side of the country.

"It was surreal," said White, the company gunnery sergeant with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, a reserve unit from the San Fernando Valley, where White serves in the LAPD's Devonshire Division.

"I thought, 'this is a prelude to war' - it was my version of Pearl Harbor right in front of my eyes," he added.

Everyone lost something on 9/11, whether it be a loved one or simply their sense of security.

"As soon as I heard that the Pentagon was hit, I knew that we were going to war," said White, a reservist for the past three years assigned to a unit called up especially for homeland defense.

Sharing in his anguish over the deliberate crashing of airliners into the World Trade Center's twin towers was his wife of 10 years.

"I was terrified for him," said Mindi White. "I was afraid because the plane's original destination was Los Angeles, and I was afraid that maybe another plane was headed toward L.A. It was nerve-racking."

After hearing that his reserve company was being activated, White faced a battle within himself.

"We learned of our activation in early January last year, which coincided with the ending of my current contract. I wrestled with the idea of re-enlisting or just getting out," he said.

But at the end of the day, both White and his wife decided he'd stay in.

"We would never be able to have lived with ourselves, because we said 'no' to our country when it needed us the most," said White, father of 2-year-old Samantha.

"We were never able to serve during a time of war before, so we were very happy to do it," his wife added.

While White was on active duty, his family faced long deployments and temporary additional duties. But being activated was probably the hardest yet.

"We sold our house in Palmdale, that way, me and my girls could be closer together," White said.

"It was hard to sell our house, but once we got to San Clemente, I knew this was where we had to be," Mindi said. "For the sake of our family, we knew we had to sell our house and be together."

Long hours at work and time spent in the field also are trying for the family.
Samantha often wonders when her daddy will come home. Mom reassures her.

"I do explain to her that her daddy is working and he'll be home later," Mindi says.

"She keeps me sane," White said. "My daughter is a trooper and she is taking this in stride."

Another burden is a smaller income, although the LAPD offers a supplement to military reservists on the force who've been called to active duty.

"The LAPD has helped supplement my pay," White said. "But the biggest change is that the Marine Corps does not pay you time and a half."

Although 2/23's future is uncertain, White believes his company is ready to do its job when called upon.

"I'm proud of most of the Marines here," White said. "People think reserve Marines are nasty, but I tell you, I would put our battalion up against any other in the Marine Corps and they would not disappoint me."

White says his best years in the Marine Corps have come as a reservist.

"I've enjoyed my time as a reservist more, because when being a Marine gets to be routine, I get to go back and chase people on the street," he said.

Although the country might call the military heroes for the service they provide their country, White says others are more deserving of the label.

"The real heroes are the families involved in all of this," White said. "My personal hero is my wife, who sold her house to be with me, as well as the countless Marines who have been activated, many of whom did not have to."