Calm before the storm - Mississippi Soldiers prepare for yet another storm

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. David Williams, of D'Iberville, Miss., posts a hurricane tracker on, Sept. 8, 2008, for members of the unit to see. Soldiers of the 890th keep a close eye on the hurricane due to the many storms hitting their state during hurricane season. Williams is the supply sergeant for the 890th Headquarters Support Company, 890th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.12.2008

Courtesy Story

926th Engineer Brigade

By Capt. Eric Sanchez
926th Engineer Brigade

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The Headquarter Support Company of the 890th Engineer Battalion is aptly named the "Hurricanes" due to the great number of hurricanes that have threatened the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Fast approaching Hurricane Ike appears to be headed for the Gulf Coast.

Many Soldiers feel a new stress while serving in Iraq when a hurricane approaches the Gulf Coast after the immense destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 which also hit New Orleans. Katrina destroyed many of those same Soldiers home; therefore, the Soldiers do not take well to a potential Category 5 hurricane approaching their neighborhood.

Although no one wishes bad on other locations, Sgt. David Williams said, "We just dodged Hurricane Gustav, and now Hurricane Ike looks like it is going to be worse."

Williams, captain of the Biloxi Fire Department, lost everything he owned with the exception of what was in the fire station due to Hurricane Katrina. Many others lost a home that they were living in along with a new home that they were building. One of the toughest parts for many Families after rebuilding the home is not being able to replace the memories in the form of pictures and memorabilia from the past that was washed or blown away.

Some of the 890th Eng. Bn. Soldiers were deployed to Iraq during the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, and the main body participated in the relief effort for six weeks following the storm. Six weeks does not seem like a long time; however, the situation was very stressful due to the fact that most of what they owned was gone.

"The toughest part about the Hurricane Katrina deployment was not being able to tend to your family and property," Master Sgt. William "Doc" Savage, S3 operations non-commissioned officer, said.

The engineer battalion used combat heavy equipment to clear roads amongst many other missions to facilitate the relief effort. The thought of a greater good was all that kept many Soldiers going through that time. As a potentially devastating Hurricane approaches again, Soldiers keep their Families in mind.

"Right now, we just keep our eyes open and do our best to keep our spirits high while focused on our mission here in Iraq," Sgt. Carmen Guerrero, also of the 890th Eng. Bn., said. "We're here and not at home so we sit and wait to hear the news from our loved ones. Storms are extremely unpredictable and no matter where the storm hits, we'll be praying for the safety of those affected by Gustav, Ike and any other storm brewing in the waters. I'm going to do my part and continue tracking the Ike just to help keep our minds at ease."

• Date Taken: 09.12.2008
• Date Posted: 09.12.2008 11:24
• Story ID: 23559
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ