NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — When there’s trouble and New York needs help, they are the first line of defense: the New York Army National Guard.
They are a force more than 10,000 strong and ready to make a difference in New York at a moment’s notice.
Sergeant First Class Alex Williams, a 12-year veteran of the National Guard, says one thing is always on his mind when he is at work: “What can I do and how can I help and how can I be of service.”
The 29-year-old grew up in the Bronx, near the Kingsbridge Armory and says he has always felt a desire to be part of something great.
“I’ve always had an understanding that what you do is bigger than you,” he said.
Though, he didn’t always plan on joining the Army, in fact, Williams notes he was not born in America.
“I lived in Jamaica, growing up on a dirt road with a zinc roof top in a wooden house,” the 29-year-old said.
His family immigrated to New York City when he was in the 4th grade, and immediately witnessed a tragedy.
“One of my first week in school, September 11th happened,” Williams said.
During that frightening time, he says he was comforted and reassured by people in uniform – those who were at the front lines of the terror attacks.
“I remember seeing those men and women gearing up and going to do the work,” the 29-year-old said.
He says seeing those men and women inspired him to join the National Guard and he too finally had a chance to serve when Superstorm Sandy struck.
“Whether it's giving people water, whether it's helping clear roads so that people can get to where they need to go – ambulances can get to where they need to go. Whether it's setting up medic stations and helping people that might have been hurt, people that need to be rescued via helicopter, so on so forth,” Williams said. “Any way that we can help, we do help.”
The National Guard supports active-duty forces and serves the homeland.
The New York Army National Guard was most recently called to help during the coronavirus pandemic – and still are out in full force today.
“If you go to just about any vaccine site or any testing site, you'll see National Guard soldiers,” Williams said.
The 29-year-old notes that after over a decade of service, he is not a recruiter looking for the next generation of soldiers who can help to make a difference.
“Having the opportunity to work in your community, serve in your community, it's so important because community is so important,” he says.
Stay informed, stay connected — follow WCBS 880 on Facebook and Twitter. Listen live to WCBS 880 Newsradio.