Louisiana Guardsmen forge New Roads

Photo By Angela Fry | Louisiana National Guard Soldiers with the 1023rd Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion in Monroe, La., hand out water to the residents of New Roads, La., in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. The storm made landfall on Sept. 1, 2008, along the coast of South Louisiana causing substantial wind and water damage. The Soldiers in the area are providing humanitarian assistance and debris removal.  

UNITED STATES

09.05.2008

Story by 2nd Lt. Angela Fry 

Louisiana National Guard

By Sgt. Angela K. Fry
528th Engineer Battalion Unit Public Affairs Representative

NEW ROADS, La. – Louisiana Army National Guard Soldiers from the 225th Engineer Brigade traveled from Northeast Louisiana to assist residents of New Roads in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.

Soldiers from both battalions worked in sweltering temperatures throughout the day on Sept. 4, 2008 to hand out much-needed supplies to the residents of the small south Louisiana community.

The Soldiers from the 1022nd and 1023rd Vertical Engineer Companies, headquartered in West Monroe, La., and Oak Grove, La., have been providing assistance to various humanitarian efforts in the area.

"We have been handing out water and ice since about 7 a.m.," said Spc. Jarrett C. Hughes of Bastrop, La. "The units have also been handing out meals ready to eat, ice, water and tarps at local fire departments and other locations around the area."

Wal-Mart donated six 53-foot trailers of supplies to distribute. "We could not have made this happen without the National Guard," Hill added. "We really appreciate everything they have done and continue to do."

Col. Owen P. Monconduit, brigade commander of the 225th Eng. Bde. at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., explained to the New Roads resident that the National Guard is tasked to support local communities and provide assistance needed.

According to official reports, New Roads and the surrounding areas sustained substantial wind and water damage from the storm. The Soldiers assisted in flood relief after a levee broke along a canal on the False River.

"The Soldiers worked into the night on Wednesday loading and placing sand bags," said 1st Sgt. Larry Morgan of Pineville. "The troops worked extremely hard pumping the water and getting the job done," he said."

Along with supply distribution points and flood relief, Soldiers from the 1022d and 1023rd worked to clear roads of debris left in the wake of Gustav. The Soldiers also provided assistance by aiding in security with the Point Coupee Sheriff's Department with Humvee patrols throughout the nights.

Many of the Soldiers are from Northeast Louisiana and will provide service to the area as long as there is a need.

The small city in Point Coupee Parish is located just outside of Baton Rouge, La. Gustav made landfall on Sept. 1, 2008, as a strong Category 2 Hurricane.

• Date Taken: 09.05.2008
• Date Posted: 09.05.2008 23:20
• Story ID: 23288
• Location: US