STOCKBRIDGE, Vt. - In Stockbridge, Army National Guard soldiers from Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina and Maine continue to work on the recovery of the Vermont road system after Tropical Storm Irene.
In West Virginia, the call went out over the radio mentioning the possibility of mobilizing soldiers to assist in the clean up in Vermont after Tropical Storm Irene. Spc. Paul Jones, communication’s specialist, called his readiness non-commissioned officer and volunteered for the mission.
The Maine National Guard was working on making the ground stable to begin the road building process. At a site in Stockbridge, where all of the states are currently, it is now passable by vehicle for resident traffic only. Last week, this road was nonexistent.
Tropical Storm Irene’s rain caused the White River to rise above flood stage. The immense amount of water tore down a bridge and removed most of the embankment leading to a resident’s house. A week later the bridge has been reconstructed and the riverbank directing the water has been replaced.
The 20-ton dump trucks from all states involved in this mission rolled thorough the Agency of Transportation dirt pit. The dirt and rocks taken from this location are being used to replace what Irene has washed away.
The West Virginia National Guard dump truck drivers are driving approximately 25 runs a day 15 or more tons a load. Four hundred fifty tons of dirt a day is being deposited to the Stockbridge locations. That is the amount of dirt the five WVARNG trucks are moving. There are a total of 26, 20-ton dump trucks moving debris, rocks and dirt at any given time during this operation.
The WVARNG engineers are enjoying the hands-on time that they are getting with the equipment. Due to the lack of mission requirements on a regular basis, soldiers routinely perform preventive maintenance checks and services on the equipment without putting the equipment through its paces.
Sgt. David Chrisolm and Spc. Michael Chisolm, petroleum fuel specialists, from WVARNG, drive a HEMTT around to the different work locations all day. The daily arrival of fuel is crucial to mission completion.
Spc. Ben Ferris, wheeled mechanic, and Spc. Amanda Ferris, generator mechanic, Spc. David Ettinger, wheeled mechanic, 133rd Engineer Battalion, MEARNG, worked as a team-removing guardrail. There were also sections of the guardrail amidst the rocks along the bank of the river.
While driving away from the work sites, soldiers and road workers can see signs created by the residents thanking them for their hard work, which has made it possible for them to return to their homes. “The people have been surprising us everyday with their kindness,” said Staff Sgt. Lionel Jones, WVARNG.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2011 15:23 |
| Story ID: | 77157 |
| Location: | STOCKBRIDGE, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, National Guard comes to the aide of Stockbridge Vt. after Tropical Storm Irene, by SGT Heidi Kroll, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
