| WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2006 — They are Sgt. Wilfrido Galarza and Sgt. Danny Galarza, but soldiers in their unit know them as “the twins” although they’re 11 months apart in age. Still, there’s no mistaking family resemblance between the brothers from Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.
The two soldiers and their unit, the 125th Military Police Battalion of the Puerto Rico National Guard, are about to make their second deployment with Kosovo Force 8. The Galarzas’ high-profile positions as their commanding general’s personal security detail has made them more than familiar with KFOR 8.
“Our mission is self-explanatory,” said Wilfrido. “We’re here to make sure the general is safe, to protect him. When and where he goes, we go.”
"Joining the National Guard was like joining an extended family,” he said. “It’s a brotherhood, we’re just like family. “We maintain military bearing during our mission, but once the missions are over we’re more like family.”
The brothers said their unit has exceptional support from families back in Puerto Rico. According to the Galarzas, before Puerto Rican units deploy, it’s common for unit members and their families to gather for a big send-off.
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