With the assistance of the 153rd Infantry Regiment, Arkansas Army National Guard, Texas State Guard Emergency Transport Network and the Beaumont Fire Rescue Team, residents were helped off the bus and checked in by the Texas State Guard and reunited with their belongings and escorted to their next location.
1st Lt. Carl Mathews, squadron commander for the 447th Air Support Group, 5th Air Wing, Texas State Guard, explained that the Arkansas National Guard and Fire Rescue Team were huge assets in accomplishing their mission. They provided a great deal of heavy lifting and logistical help while aiding residents back to their homes and keeping things moving.
“They did a hell of a job,” he said.
Before climbing aboard busses in Beaumont to head home, an unexpected guest stopped by to give thanks to men and women helping with the operation.
Becky Ames, the mayor of Beaumont, did her best to shake hands and say thanks to everyone she could.
“We could not have done this operation today without the National Guard and all the military that’s helped us throughout this challenge in the city of Beaumont,” Ames said.
Even though 244 of the residents were able to return to their homes, 112 residents were assisted on to shuttle busses with their belongings and brought to the Sterling Pruitt Center where the Red Cross was there to receive them.
“A lot of these people don’t have a home to come back to,” said 1st Sgt. Shawn Cosey, first sergeant for G Co., 39th Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 206th Field Artillery, Arkansas National Guard.
“We’re here to provide them with support, whether it’s food, supplies or just a friendly face, helping hand and someone to talk to,” he said.
Ames made it very clear that she was thankful for the support to her city during this difficult time and had one final message to those who helped the citizens of Beaumont.
“I’d just like to say thank you so much for your service, thank you for what you do for our country, but especially thank you for what you’ve done for Beaumont in these last two weeks. You’ve made it another great day in Beaumont,” she said.When Hurricane Harvey struck Texas on Aug. 31, 2017, 356 residents from Beaumont were evacuated from their homes and transported to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center in Dallas for shelter from the storm.