May 26, 2002 By Patty Shultz 5 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Duty, honor, country. When Sgt. Angelo Ross dons his uniform on Memorial Day, the three words will echo through his mind and heart.

As he marches through the city streets with fellow members of the Pennsylvania National Guard Company D, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor unit he will remember those who have served in the military to protect the borders of the U.S. and around the world.

His thoughts will also turn to his impending responsibility to carry out the same military duties as was done by his father, uncles and cousins.

“I have a military heart,” said the 51-year-old Ross. “I love my country and I believe I should do my duty.”

At the end of July, Ross and approximately 50 members of the Connellsville-based National Guard unit will be deployed to Europe in connection with Operation Enduring Freedom. Their duties will include guarding military installations and conducting patrols on the perimeter of the U.S. bases.

“A lot of people have gone before me and now it’s my turn,” he said.

His father, for whom he is named, enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the onset of World War II and assisted with the manufacturing of fighter planes.

The dog tags, which bear his father’s name, a National Service Award and Good Conduct Medals, are among his most precious possessions.

An uncle, Anthony Ross, a member of the 110th Infantry, took part in the Battle of the Bulge, while a cousin, Albert “Midgie” DeSantis, served three tours in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. He now is a civilian advisor at the Pentagon.

Another uncle, Gen. John Spisso, serves as a military advisor to President George W. Bush.

“We go back quite a ways,” said Ross, in recalling the family’s past military service.

He first enlisted with the National Guard in 1970, just two years after he graduated from Southmoreland High School.

“I was in college at the time, but I wanted to serve (my country),” he said.

After taking advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, La., Ross remained stateside and participated at Kent State and other locations during protest rallies.

“That was a very volatile time for a lot of people,” said Ross.

After a six-year stint, he left the military, married, raised his son, and for the past 15 years has worked for the U.S. Postal Service.

“I’ll be exchanging one uniform for another,” said Ross.

In 1997, shortly after the Persian Gulf War, he re-enlisted with the local National Guard unit.

“And here I am, 51 years old, and preparing to serve my country during a time of war,” he said.

While his son and sister have offered support and will take on some of his responsibilities while he is away, his mother, 84-year-old Antoinetta Spisso, is worried for her only son.

“She’s told me not to go,” he said.

Ross said despite his mother’s concerns he will carry out his duty.

“Sept. 11 changed the world as we knew it,” said Ross. “We are at war…not a declared war, but a war to protect our democracy and that of other countries around the world.

“It is our duty as citizens and soldiers to remember all of those that died in the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and in Somerset.”

Since being notified of his pending military duties abroad, Ross has been finalizing paperwork and participating in drills to update his skills.

John Maietta, press secretary for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the local unit will be joining approximately 2,000 other soldiers of the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division in serving a seven to eight month assignment in Germany, Italy, Belgium or the Netherlands.

“They will be providing security for the military bases, such as screening and searching vehicles as they enter the installation or patrolling on the bases and other security duties as members of the U.S. Army,” said Maietta.

On June 1, the local men and women, ranging in age from 20 to 51, will travel to Fort Indiantown Gap, where they will review medical, insurance and other documentation with military personnel in preparation of their overseas duties.

At the end of June, they will return to the fort, where they will be mobilized and given needed clothing and equipment before departing for Fort Dix in New Jersey.

“They will be there for about a month,” said Maietta. “Because it is a security mission, they will be spending a lot of time learning how to identify terrorist threats, receive briefings on the countries where they will be located and training how to drive on the roads in Europe, as some will be patrolling in vehicles.

“They will have a chance to requalify on their weapons, and receive some tactical training.”

At the end of the training, they will be deployed, said Maietta.

Ross, meanwhile, said he will be ready when the time comes for him to board the airplane for Europe and hopes that as he has supported those who have gone before him, those who remain on U.S. soil will do so for him and the other members of the armed services.

“Memorial Day is the time that we take to honor all of the men and women in the military who have served, died, and protected our freedom,” he said. “Our mission is to continue to protect the freedom of those we leave behind so they can continue to go to the malls, see movies, vote and walk the streets without fear.”