Prologue
My oral history project is based on a soldier’s tale throughout various experiences in the United States Army. Although my interviewee is my husband, I did not know him during his experiences in the army where he was deployed. I am always curious to find out more about his experiences and how he felt during a time where our country went from being so united (after 9/11) to being so divided (when protesters and soldiers questioned our purpose in the war).In the first interview I asked Specialist Gillis various surface level questions that ended up turning into twenty two minutes of footage! I was more intrigued to hear about his experiences at Ground Zero, which I was unaware of until just recently. I’m learning that soldiers are like steel traps and that it’s very hard to get information out of them. There was one question that he refused to answer about his time in Sinai. He got a little upset and just saying, “next question, next question.” I have a feeling that if I was Katie Couric I would be able to pry through that steel trap, but I have to live with him for the rest of my life! The question that sparked him to totally shut down stemmed from his explanation of his time at the observation posts. They guarded the road that went from Africa into the Middle East, and had to do perform vehicle stops and he said, “If they stopped.” When I asked him what the procedure was if they didn’t stop, he immediately shut down.
I grew more interest towards his 9-11 experience and his journey from Ground Zero to Sinai. I hope that this oral history tale will bring people closer to how soldiers felt, as well as how they feel to this day, almost ten years after the beginning of the end.
I grew more interest towards his 9-11 experience and his journey from Ground Zero to Sinai. I hope that this oral history tale will bring people closer to how soldiers felt, as well as how they feel to this day, almost ten years after the beginning of the end.
Specialist Matthew Gillis of the United States Army shares his accounts of his time in the service during his active duty deployments in 2001 and 2005. In 2001 he was sent to guard the George Washington Bridge in New York City just a few short days after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. His tale begins on Thursday, September 13, 2001.
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Specialist Gillis shares an unforgettable image from his mind during his deployment after 9-11.
A moment frozen in time.
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A moment frozen in time.
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Specialist Gillis recalls the patriotism that wore strong throughout his time guarding the George Washington Bridge after 9-11. But, he also tells about how America always seems to forget. Although he does not say specifically what America forgets about, it is clear that he is referring to the events of 9-11 and the events that followed that brought him to be deployed to Sinai.
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I asked Specialist Gillis if he felt as if he was getting back at the terrorists for 9-11 when he was shipped overseas to the Sinai Peninsula. His answer was a little jarring, yet was spoken with true and honest words, words from a true American hero.
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Afterword
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Specialist Gillis is now married and has a two year old son, Braxton Jacob. He says that he would love for his son to follow in his footsteps and serve for his country. But, he says that he would like him to serve in the air force, rather than the army or any other front-line position in the military.
My role as an interviewer as well as a wife and my husband’s best friend benefited me in many ways during the interview process, yet it also hindered the interview process as well. I wanted to press him for more information concerning the various tasks and battles he encountered overseas, but knowing him the way I do, I couldn’t do it. I saw the pain in his eyes, the uncomfortable body language, and the change is voice. It struck a chord with me. The things he did overseas, the bad things, I think he is almost ashamed of, and this was a hard thing to take in as a wife and as an interviewer.
All in all, it was a beneficial experience for my family. We will now have record of his time in the army and can share it for years to come
Gillis retired from the military in 2006. Although he has brought up returning to the active reserves in the past, he has decided to embark on a new career in Human Services. He is currently working towards his Master’s degree in Social Work, and hopes to secure a position as a parenting coach for family services while working towards his degree.
Specialist Gillis is now married and has a two year old son, Braxton Jacob. He says that he would love for his son to follow in his footsteps and serve for his country. But, he says that he would like him to serve in the air force, rather than the army or any other front-line position in the military.
My role as an interviewer as well as a wife and my husband’s best friend benefited me in many ways during the interview process, yet it also hindered the interview process as well. I wanted to press him for more information concerning the various tasks and battles he encountered overseas, but knowing him the way I do, I couldn’t do it. I saw the pain in his eyes, the uncomfortable body language, and the change is voice. It struck a chord with me. The things he did overseas, the bad things, I think he is almost ashamed of, and this was a hard thing to take in as a wife and as an interviewer.
All in all, it was a beneficial experience for my family. We will now have record of his time in the army and can share it for years to come
Gillis retired from the military in 2006. Although he has brought up returning to the active reserves in the past, he has decided to embark on a new career in Human Services. He is currently working towards his Master’s degree in Social Work, and hopes to secure a position as a parenting coach for family services while working towards his degree.
