Saff Sergeant Bernard Villagomez

Staff Sergeant Bernard Villagomez, age 44, is on his first deployment to Iraq, where he works as a Supply Sgt. in the Army Reserve. At home, Villagomez is a full-time student at Portland State University pursuing a degree in urban development and city planning. Villagomez was born and raised in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which was freed by the United States during World War II. The gratitude he feels toward the United States has inspired him to want to give back by fighting to protect the many freedoms Americans enjoy. When asked about serving in the Army Reserve, Villagomez states, "I believe in what we do," and "I enjoy being an Army Reserve Soldier." Villagomez was one of 100 Soldiers to re-enlist in the Army Reserve on January 18, 2008, during a special 100th Anniversary ceremony that took place in Baghdad, Iraq.