 WFMZ-TV -- A RELATIVE OF A NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER SPEAKS OUT AFTER HIS BROTHER BECOMES THE 14TH GUARD MEMBER FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO BE KILLED IN IRAQ.
WFMZ'S JOEL D. SMITH IS LIVE IN OUR READING STUDIO WITH MORE.
JOEL?
 ROB, HIS PEERS AND HIS FAMILY SAY SPECIALIST WILLIAM FERNANDEZ , A MEDIC,
WAS ALWAYS THE FIRST TO VOLUNTEER FOR AN EXTRA ASSIGNMENT OR TO LEND A HAND.
IN FACT, THAT'S WHY HE WAS IN THE HUMVEE THAT WAS HIT BY AN EXPLOSIVE MONDAY.
REPORTER
FROM THE OUTSIDE, THIS FLAG SHOWS THIS IS A MILITARY FAMILY. AND INSIDE, THIS FAMILY IS DEALING WITH THE ONE THING EVERY MILITARY FAMILY FEARS.
JOSE C. FERNANDEZ
" HE WOULD ALWAYS,
ALWAYS, ALWAYS , ALWAYS, ALWAYS TRY TO HELP SOMEBODY OR TRY TO PUT THEM IN THE RIGHT PATH"
REPORTER
37 YEAR OLD SPECIALIST WILLIAM FERNANDEZ IS ONE OF 3 MILITARY BROTHERS HONORED IN THEIR MOTHER'S HOME.
HE ALWAYS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY..HE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE AROUND HIM WERE WELL TAKEN CARE OF"
REPORTER
HIS MILITARY FAMILY COULDN'T AGREE MORE.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY, FORMER BROTHERS-IN-ARMS DESCRIBED HIS FINAL MISSION.
JACOB KRETZING US ARMY "HE WASN'T SLATED TO GO ON THIS MISSION.
THERE WAS A MIX UP IN THE SCHEDULING, AND HE VOLUNTEERED TO GO ON THIS MISSION FOR HIM."
REPORTER
THE HUMVEE HE LEFT IN WAS THEN STRUCK BY A ROADSIDE EXPLOSIVE IN AR RAMADI, IRAQ MONDAY MORNING.
FERNANDEZ WAS KILLED WITH 3 OTHERS WORKING WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD.
" THERE'S A SAYING FOR COMBAT VETS.
AND IT APPLIES TO HIM.
ALL GIVE SOME AND SOME GIVE ALL."
" I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW MY BROTHER AS AN OUTSTANDING SOLDIER, OUTSTANDING HUSBAND, OUTSTANDING FRIEND.
THERE NEED TO BE MORE PEOPLE OUT IN THIS WORLD LIKE HIM".
WILLIAM FERNANDEZ WAS WORKING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD IN READING BEFORE HE DECIDED TO RE-ENLIST AT THE AGE OF 35.
HE'S SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, 3 SIBLINGS AND HIS MOTHER.
ROB, THE FAMILY SAYS HIS FUNERAL WILL BE IN READING. |
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"Over Under Or Through"(104th Cav Motto)