His wife, Eva Gomez, 57, served six years in the Army Reserve.
Why they served
Gumersindo:I was born in Puerto Rico.
In January 1966, my mother shipped me to New York City to some family members.
I started working in a factory, making slippers.
I used to walk down 42nd Street because they had cheap hamburgers, two for a quarter.
I started watching the guys in uniform, and I started liking the uniform itself.
I decided to join the Army, not even really knowing there was a war going on.
I went to basic and advanced training at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
From there I went to Vietnam.
I went to war.
So I was always competing to see what a man could do that I could not.
I ended up training under one of the companies of which Gumersindo was the senior drill sergeant.
Thats how I met my husband!
Now we have a big family, and our grandson has joined the military.
If our kids and grandkids make that decision, we respect that.
You cant live your life with fear.
Tyler:For me, it started in high school.
I wasnt doing well.
I got in trouble my senior year, and I couldnt play football.
One day I was playing video games and my mom said, Get dressed.
We got to go somewhere.
I asked, Where?
She said, Youll see when we get there.
It was snowing, and we came up in the car.
I saw the sign: Armed Forces Recruitment Center.
I was, like, Oh, God!
