Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Heather Denby | Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. observes damage caused to military...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Hours after a devastating tornado struck family housing on post Friday, the local community drew together offering assistance to families in need. Almost a week later, their dedication to each other continues.
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., U.S. Army chief of staff, visited the post Jan. 4 to get a firsthand look at the damages caused by the storm and to see what the community needs to aid in their recovery.
“I’ve been in the Army over 40 years and I don’t remember an Army installation being hit by a natural disaster of this magnitude,” said Casey. “As I went around today and drove the path of the tornado, the things that I really saw were resilience and teamwork.”
The team, coordinated largely by the support of Army Community Service established a Family Assistance Center offering claims support, as well as the Red Cross who provided other types of assistance and personal support.
ACS collaborated with the post USO to provide a donation hub, staffed with more than 50 volunteers for donation drop-offs and distribution.
“We’ve had 23 families come in today with items they need for either temporary lodging or their new government quarters,” said Kelly Brownfield, USO facilities manager.
Items at the USO range from dish soap to flat screen televisions, all free of charge for any family displaced by the storm.
“Everyone is just so willing to help,” said Capt. Erik Dubois, a military police officer assigned to the 701st Military Police Battalion.
Dubois’ wife, also a Soldier, is seven weeks pregnant and was one of four people injured during the tornado.
“I’m grateful for the quick medical attention my wife received and the support from servicemembers in and out of our chain-of-commands,” said Dubois. “A soldier I didn’t even know lent me his car!”
While the donations continue to pour in through different venues, displaced soldiers and their family members still have a long way to go in recreating their new homes.
“We may not have our home, but we know one thing for sure: the Army will take care of us,” said Dubois.
| Date Taken: | 01.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.04.2011 17:53 |
| Story ID: | 63013 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 355 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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