News
ENLARGE
Before beginning the re-enlistment ceremony Friday for Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Mock, Gov. Brian Sandoval spoke to the soldier privately.
“We're inspired by the sacrifices you've made,” Sandoval said. “I'm humbled to be in your presence.”
Mock, 33, was one of two Nevada National Guard soldiers wounded in the Sept. 6 attack at the Carson City IHOP when gunman Eduardo Sencion opened fired on the restaurant. Four people, in cluding three Nevada Guardsmen, were killed. Nine were injured before Sencion killed himself.
Although Mock was still recovering from the gunshot wound that shattered his arm in 11 places, he returned to work Jan. 3. He has another surgery scheduled for Monday to transplant nerves from his leg to his arm.
Despite his injuries, he said, he never considered not re-enlisting.
“It had nothing to do with the military,” he explained. “It was a random act of violence.”
Sandoval, who serves as commander in chief of the Nevada Guard at home, presided over the ceremony on the Capitol steps.
“It's a proud day for our country. It's a proud day for our state,” Sandoval said. “You are a true Nevada hero and a true American hero who has served us throughout the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you from the people of Nevada.”
Adj. Gen. Bill Burks was happy with Mock's re-enlistment.
“The Nevada Army National Guard has a great soldier for another six years, and hopefully another six years after that,” he said.
Mock's wife of seven years, Stephanie, a staff sergeant in the Nevada Air National Guard, supported her husband's decision.
“I'm so proud of him,” she said. “He's amazing.”
Having both served combat tours to Afghanistan, she said, they understand the risks.
“This is our life,” she said. “It's what we are. It is in our core to support our community and our country.”
And she knows they've been fortunate.
“I got really lucky by him picking me in the first place,” she said, “then with him making it through everything he's made it through.”
“We're inspired by the sacrifices you've made,” Sandoval said. “I'm humbled to be in your presence.”
Mock, 33, was one of two Nevada National Guard soldiers wounded in the Sept. 6 attack at the Carson City IHOP when gunman Eduardo Sencion opened fired on the restaurant. Four people, in cluding three Nevada Guardsmen, were killed. Nine were injured before Sencion killed himself.
Although Mock was still recovering from the gunshot wound that shattered his arm in 11 places, he returned to work Jan. 3. He has another surgery scheduled for Monday to transplant nerves from his leg to his arm.
Despite his injuries, he said, he never considered not re-enlisting.
“It had nothing to do with the military,” he explained. “It was a random act of violence.”
Sandoval, who serves as commander in chief of the Nevada Guard at home, presided over the ceremony on the Capitol steps.
“It's a proud day for our country. It's a proud day for our state,” Sandoval said. “You are a true Nevada hero and a true American hero who has served us throughout the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you from the people of Nevada.”
Adj. Gen. Bill Burks was happy with Mock's re-enlistment.
“The Nevada Army National Guard has a great soldier for another six years, and hopefully another six years after that,” he said.
Mock's wife of seven years, Stephanie, a staff sergeant in the Nevada Air National Guard, supported her husband's decision.
“I'm so proud of him,” she said. “He's amazing.”
Having both served combat tours to Afghanistan, she said, they understand the risks.
“This is our life,” she said. “It's what we are. It is in our core to support our community and our country.”
And she knows they've been fortunate.
“I got really lucky by him picking me in the first place,” she said, “then with him making it through everything he's made it through.”
