News Story - Idaho State Journal

dbryce@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- A veteran of Desert Storm, Sgt. Andrew Santillanes joined the Idaho Army National Guard when Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced.

Santillanes, who also serves as the Southeast Idaho coordinator for the Idaho Honor Guard, joined the 148th Field Artillery Brigade in Pocatello four years ago.

"I felt like it was my duty to do what I could to help out," he said. "I wanted to see the job finished."

A native of Pocatello, Santillanes took a military leave of absence from his job at the Idaho National Laboratory to serve the 148th full time.

The 148th is responsible for the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment and large artillery on the ground. Santillanes, whose field of expertise is meteorology, said the unit also provides weather data for troops.

"The weather can affect how the rounds fire," he explained.

Santillanes said his involvement with the Idaho Honor Guard came about when the team leader asked him to join.

The group has 200 members statewide. In the Southeast Idaho region, the honor guard presides at about 700 events each year, which include flag raising services, funerals and parades.

The men and women of the Idaho Honor Guard are all volunteers and Santillanes said the group takes its message to heart.

"We want to give the best presentation we can give," he said.

Santillanes, who comes from a long line of U.S. Army veterans, has two daughters and a son, who has also expressed interest in the military.

"The benefits right now are tremendous with all the college bonuses," Santillanes said. "But it is the military -- there is a chance that you could be called to go overseas to serve your country."

As well as earning college tuition, Santillanes said the military improves leadership skills and provides experience that can be applied in the civilian world.

While no imminent deployment is planned for the 148th, Santillanes said the local unit trains about 70 days out of each year and will be ready if called.

"We're always prepared to go," he said. "That's what we signed up for."

When he's not on duty, Santillanes enjoys spending time with his family and traveling with his children.

"We try to go somewhere that we've never been at least once a year," he said.

Santillanes said he plans to retire from the military and stay involved in the Idaho Honor Guard for as long as possible.

"I think that our veterans more than deserve what we can give them," he said. "They put their lives on the line for us and I want the families to know that their sacrifice is not forgotten."

For more information about the Idaho Honor Guard, persons may call the National Guard Armory at 237-3800.

By Debbie Bryce

This document was originally published online on Sunday, January 04, 2009

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