During that time, Coccio's unit has been called up to respond to such local disasters as hurricanes and an oil spill, but never foreign duty. Coccio had the option of staying in the United States if the unit was sent to the Persian Gulf, and he and his wife discussed the possibility. I have a loyalty to my friends, my unit, my country. I couldn't see not accompanying them. I'm loyal to my country and my state.
Some countries are far less fortunate.
Here, we can speak and be heard. T his sense of loyalty and duty may have been forged during Coccio's basic training - two months of physical and mental testing every soldier, even one in the National Guard, must endure before progressing to advanced individual training. It was a challenge. I don't know how I did it. I guess the force was in me to complete the mission.