Photo By Sgt. Cheri Cramutolo | Nevada National Guardsman Capt. Shannon Manning from the 152nd Air Wing salutes 423rd...... read more read more
CARSON CITY, Nev. - Visiting Army Reserve Soldiers were honored with the Nevada State Command Sergeant Major's Coin, by Air National Guard Captain for their humanitarian service, assisting stranded drivers along Nevada's Interstate 80, July 17.
A multiple car accident along Interstate 80 had drivers stranded for hours in over 90-degree weather.
"I was traveling from Lovelock to Reno and right away I noticed three or four huge camouflaged army vehicles. Right after traffic stopped the soldiers got out of their trucks and started walking around and talking to the other stranded drivers. Pretty soon they started grabbing water bottles and asking motorists if they wanted one," said Mrs. Debbie Jurad.
"I was so impressed and ever so grateful. Here these Soldiers were, ready for whatever comes along. They were trying to take care of us while we all were stranded," said Jurad.
Nevada Air National Guardsman, Capt. Shannon Manning, Operations and Training officer for Nevada's Joint Operations Center presented eight Soldiers from the 423rd Transportation Company with the Nevada State Command Sergeants Major Coin on behalf of Nevada's senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Sitton, for their duty and selfless service to community while training in Nevada.
"These Soldiers went above and beyond the call of duty. They were only in Nevada for annual training; these visitors came upon a situation, assessed the needs of others and helped where they could. They didn't have to do anything; they could have just sat in their vehicles and waited it out like everyone else. But they didn't, they got out of their trucks and helped our friends, families and neighbors, treating them as if they were their own," said Manning.
"We were driving back from our training mission when traffic came to a complete standstill. Cars were backed up for what seemed to be 2 to 3 miles. Afraid our trucks would overheat; we shut them down and got out to check our loads," said Staff Sgt. Phillip Homestead, member of 423rd Transportation Company, Ft. Carson Co.
"When we got out of our trucks people just started coming up to us, asking us about our equipment, some even asked to take pictures," said Homestead. "It all started with an overheated car that we helped push out of the way. Then we helped a family whose car was stuck in the gravel and another that needed a jump. Eventually we started walking from car to car asking if anyone needed help and passing out water," said Homestead.
"We tried to do what we could to help people, we don't carry a lot of water with us because it's hard to keep cold, so we handed out what we could," said Sgt. Chad Taylor, member of 423rd Transportation Company, Ft. Carson Co. "Pretty soon we were going from car to car, asking if anyone needed help and passing out water to those who needed it," said Taylor.
"No one told us or ordered us to do it, we were happy to do something for the community. It feels good to help," said Taylor.
These visiting Army Reserve Soldiers did whatever they could to assist motorists in need. It is unclear just how many drivers these Soldiers helped, but their assistance did not go un-noticed.
"I couldn't believe their selflessness; it's nice to know that you can count on soldiers to help people out who are in a helpless situation. I am very grateful to live in this country and enjoy its freedoms, all because of the great men and women of the military," said Jurad.
In total, 15 Soldiers from three different Army Reserve units took it upon themselves to help drivers in Nevada who were caught in traffic along Interstate 80. Staff Sgt. Clifford Trujillo, Staff Sgt. Ulisis Montes de Oca, Staff Sgt. Phillip Holmsetdt, Staff Sgt. James Niblitt, Sgt. Jonathan Miller, Sgt. Chad Taylor, Sgt. Israel Rosario, Spc. Eric Guzman, Spc. Marina Ledoux, Spc. Heather Hansen, Spc. David Price, Pfc. Reily Disanti and Pfc. Amanda Nash, 423rd Transportation Co., Ft. Carson Co., Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, 261st Ordinance Co., Charleston, W. Va., and Pfc. James Ledford, 5501st Medical Army Hospital, San Antonio, Texas, all took it upon themselves to assist motorists during a standstill along Interstate 80 in Nevada.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2009 22:22 |
| Story ID: | 37233 |
| Location: | CARSON CITY, US |
| Web Views: | 722 |
| Downloads: | 507 |
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