Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Tarkelly | North Carolina National Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Raven Kerns, assigned to the 505th...... read more read more
Subscribe
RUTHERFORD, N.C. - In response to a natural disaster, local heroes such as North Carolina National Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Raven Kerns made a world of difference for those who sent out an SOS.
Kerns was among a wave of Tarheel Guardsmen who on September 25th, 2024 immediately laced up their combat boots and volunteered to help their community following Tropical Storm Helene.
Shortly after the storm, Kerns found herself in her hometown of Charlotte, N.C. helping fellow neighbors escape deadly flood waters. Kerns assisted a local Charlotte Fire Department conduct rescue and evacuation operations for residents whose lives were turned upside down.
“It's fulfilling to be out here with my boots on the ground and help these people who are in need,” Kerns said. “It's one of the reasons why I joined the National Guard.”
Kerns, who is assigned to the 505th Engineer Battalion, 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, then traveled to Rutherford, N.C. in support of Joint Task Force-North Carolina.
Joint Task Force-North Carolina sent military capabilities to bring relief to those affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Service members worked tirelessly to distribute supplies, conduct search and rescue operations, conduct recovery efforts, clear roadways, move debris, and fulfill local needs.
“The people here just feel this weight that devastation has happened,” Kerns said. “So when they see someone in uniform, it’s a relief because they know we’re here to help,” Kerns said.
In Rutherford, Kerns’ role resided behind the scenes where she oversaw operations and personnel from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock. She coordinated supplies, tracked mission statuses, and assessed the needs of her troops.
Kerns worked daily with Rutherford County Management, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, local fire departments, and various state organizations.
“They know the needs of their community when something like this happens,” Kerns said. “So, they can point us in the direction of where we're needed the most and what kind of tasks are the most important to complete.”
Despite the long days and rough living conditions, Kerns expressed how seeing relief and smiling faces made it worthwhile.
“It's just been an amazing outpour of gratitude from the people here in Rutherford County,” Kerns exclaimed. “Knowing that people are grateful that we're here, makes this a lot easier being away from home.”
| Date Taken: | 10.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2024 14:46 |
| Story ID: | 483575 |
| Location: | LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 511 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NC Guardsman Day 1 Response to Tropical Storm Helene, by SSG Hannah Tarkelly, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
