Angel Montes
U.S. Marine Corps, Iraq
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Angel Montes was born in Mexico City. He and his family moved to the United States in 1986 when President Ronald Reagan loosened immigration barriers. He was 12 years old and spoke just a little English.
Montes joined the Marine Corps in November of 2001. He was deployed to Iraq twice, in 2003 and 2005.
Since coming back, he has struggled with returning to his life. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has affected his relationships with his wife, his son and daily life.
Despite his military service, Montes also has had difficulty obtaining his citizenship. While he was preparing to leave for his second deployment to Iraq, he went out drinking and was cited for drunk driving. He cannot apply for citizenship until his five-year probation is completed.
Angel Montes' Marine battalion reunites every year at his home. About twenty colleagues joined him in May. "When I'm with those guys, it's a real peaceful feeling," Montes says. "You don't have to explain yourself."
Marine dress blues at Memorial Day ceremony. Angel Montes decided to enlist on September 11, 2001. "Forever, my life is defined by that war," he says.
Sergeant Eddie Silva, at the reunion. He was blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
War souvenirs, including buttons and memorabilia of Republican Guard casualties, were collected by Angel Montes.
"All these multiple deployments are really messing with people's heads," says Angel Montes.
Montes' seven-year-old son, Sam, who sees the effects of war through his father. "I don't know how it is going to affect him long term," Angel says, "I think about that every day.”
Angel Montes plays cards with his wife, Ann, and son, Sam, on the front porch of their Chicago home.
