Photo By Master Sgt. Sean Brennan | Pvt. 1st Class Gary E. Lester and Specialist Matthew Knight, both of the 601st...... read more read more
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BUCKHANNON, W.Va - Responding to natural disasters is a mission West Virginia National Guardsmen are familiar with and one that they take seriously.
But for one guardsman, Sgt. 1st Class Laura E. Raynor, an engineer with the 601st Engineer Support Company based in Buckhannon W.Va., such missions are personal.
Two years ago during a particularly fierce snow storm her home lost power, heat and water for over a week, added to that a lineman died of a heart attack on her porch. Timely medical assistance was impossible due to roads being block by snow and fallen trees.
“Having had that experience I am always ready and willing to respond quickly in times of natural disaster”, said Raynor. “When you know that a cleared road or even electricity can mean the difference between life and death, you take your mission seriously”, she continued.
Raynor’s job during this crisis is to act as non-commissioned officer in charge of an 18 man team delivering hot meals to residents of Upshur County whose homes still lack heat and electricity. The meals were prepared by volunteers who came from Baptist churches throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
Meals were delivered to local churches and apartment complexes. The very young and elderly, unable to leave, received the meals with gratitude.
Other members of her team like Sgt. John D. Robinson and Pfc. Keith M. Currence, both of whom live in the nearby town of Mabei, W.Va., left their homes to come help despite the fact that their own homes had no power or heat.
“I wish folks were coming to our homes too, but I guess everybody needs help and I’m just glad to be able to assist other people in the same type situation I’m in”, said Sgt Robinson.
“Although residents were slow in coming to the distribution centers for the hot meals around lunchtime, once the word got out folks started to come in steadily, to the point we ran out of food and had to go back to the Red Cross for more”, said Raynor.
Hot meals continue to be served.
Pfc. Gary E. Lester, also of the 601st, who works full-time as coal miner in Tucker County, said that his home got its power back just last night and he knows what the people here in Upshur County are going through.
“I joined the National Guard because a friend was in the unit and he convinced me that what the Guard did was important. I’m staying because I know we make a difference.”
| Date Taken: | 11.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2012 10:28 |
| Story ID: | 97253 |
| Location: | BUCKHANNON, WEST VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 277 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, W.Va Guardsmen: Responding to natural disasters is personal, by MSgt Sean Brennan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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