NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Major Anissa Johnson of Gentilly and Major Will Santos, who grew up on Jackson Barracks, joined the Louisiana National Guard more than 25 years ago. Both were excited to serve their country, but they had no idea, in a short time, they would be deployed with the 159th MASH Unit for Operation Desert Storm.

“When we landed overseas, and we were getting off the plane, getting all our gear. And I remember the stewardesses were crying as we were getting off and they were hugging every single one of us, and they were going to pray for us and be careful,” said Johnson.

“Scud missiles flying toward your patriot base middles flying to knock them down going through a desert where you didn’t know what was on the other side,” said Santos.

But reality hit hard when patients started coming in.

“There was a female specialist who came in who was injured. But she ended up being fatally injured, and the doctors did everything they could to save her life. But unfortunately, they weren’t successful. It could have been any one of us. She was 19 years old, and it was always one of those things that stuck out for me,” said Johnson.

They went through tough times, but the group had a lot of fun too. Especially, when carnival season rolled in.

“We didn’t think it would work but we were thinking we’re missing Mardi Gras, let’s do Mardi Gras,” said Santos.

“We decided let’s get some trucks, transform them into floats,” said Johnson. “I ended up serving as the Queen of Zulu for Saudi Gras. I didn’t have coconuts, so I tossed toilet paper.”

“We had to kind of teach them what Mardi Gras was, we had to make signs of ‘Say throw me something mister.’ So we had to kind of coach them,” said Santos.

Decades later, the Louisiana National Guard Museum recently opened an exhibit, honoring the local units that served in Desert Storm.

“A lot of us who are from here we lost all of our artifacts or memories that we had from that war, during Katrina. So this, at least, gives me something to show my daughter,” said Johnson.

“There were a lot of trying times there was a lot of stress, nervousness, unknowing, fear. At the end when we got on the plane to get back and we crossed into the American airspace we knew we got the job done, and we didn’t have to have any regrets,” said Santos.

The Louisiana National Guard Museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

In addition to the new Desert Storm exhibit, there are multiple displays featuring other U.S. Wars and state emergencies.

Click here for more information on the museum:

http://www.geauxguardmuseums.com

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