WASHINGTON, D.C. - The District of Columbia National Guard is proving troops to aid in the damage caused during the severe thunderstorms Friday night.
The ongoing efforts began Saturday, July 1. Over 50 District of Columbia National Guardsmen have been called to duty over for the mission, which includes providing traffic control points in support of the Metropolitan Police and mobile lighting systems to support the D.C. Department of Transportation.
“Our mission while on the home front is to provide support to our community,” said Command Chief Master Sgt. Reginald Edwards, senior enlisted leader of the District of Columbia National Guard. “Moral is always at a high level during these missions. Our soldiers want to go out and help their community.”
The mission will continue on until after the 4th of July festivities or as long as the city requests assistance.
“Seeing us out here on the street reminds the community that the D.C. National Guard is here to help in times of emergency.” said Staff Sgt. Derrick Rich of the 104th Maintenance Company, D.C. National Guard. “We are here for our community.”
The storm tore across the East Coast and Midwest, causing power outages for millions during a major heat wave. Throughout the city of Washington, thousands are without electricity.
These soldiers and airmen have been continuously manning the traffic control points, even though some of them are leaving their homes and families without electricity or dealing with storm damage to their own homes.
“People thank us all the time,” said Sgt. Andrew Sailes of the 104th Maintenance Company, D.C. National Guard. “They are very appreciative of the D.C. National Guard and what we do for them.”
Altogether, more than 750 Guard members from the District of Columbia, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia responded to the storm across the East Coast and Midwest by assisting local first responders by providing assistance with traffic control points, door-to-door health and wellness checks and debris removal.