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Delivering Anywhere, Anytime

Courtesy Photo | Members of West Virgiania National Guard deliver much-needed supplies to remote sites...... read more read more

NEW ORLEANS, LA, UNITED STATES

09.12.2005

Courtesy Story

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

September 12, 2005
By Capt. L. Paula Sydenstricker
153rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

NEW ORLEANS -- Food, water, medical supplies, port-a-potties.

Whatever you need the West Virginia National Guard will get it to you.

No problem.

Task Force West Virginia members - comprised of members of several units from both the Army and Air National Guard - combined forces to help in the relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"It is great to see the camaraderie between branches in the military to ensure the welfare of our nation is taken care of," said Sgt Jason Hinkle, a member of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment.

The Lewisburg, W.Va. native also said it felt good to work with the other branches of service to help out their fellow countrymen.

Soldiers and Airmen handed out supplies to several of the remote task forces that were set up around the New Orleans area. The supplies are not only used by military troops, but also by the local populace.

"I'm glad to help, that's why I came down to join (in) the relief efforts," said Sgt. Courtney Leslie, a member of the Okalahoma National Guard.

The Hugoton, Kan. native from Alpha Company, 700th Support Group, issues supplies out to over 4,000 Soldiers.

"(On) an average day we go through 1,000 meals, 1,200 to 1,300 cases of water, and 1,000 bags of ice," Leslie said.

Second Lieutenant Mike Jensen, a member of the 119th Engineer Company out of Clarksburg, W.Va., delivered port-a-potties to the much-needed area of St. Bernard Parrish where the 169th Field Artillery Regiment from Colorado set up housing.

"Folks just want to help anyway they can, and if we help out the troops, then we've accomplished something," Jensen said.

The native of Ashburn, Va. also said that is why the Guard came to help all who lost something or everything.

Staff Sgt. Hubert Butler, a native of Alderson, W.Va., said he has never seen such a show of force since Desert Storm.

Butler is a member of Headquarters, Headquarters Battery of 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment.

No matter what you need, West Virginia troops will get it to you.

As Senior Airman William James from Martinsburg, W.Va., commented "we're not leaving until all the work is done."

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