Everyday Heroes!

An old Squadron Commander sent the following e-mail with notes from his wife's recent work with Red Cross flood relief in Tennessee. Reading through it, I am struck by how much it sounds like a military deployment, which isn't surprising when you think about it. People helping people - getting organized is the first step.

It is amazing to me all the people out there willing to take leave from their daily lives to help out when needed. Joan Bowden is just one of many American heroes that take up the gauntlet everyday in this great nation:

Here are Joan's notes from her Red Cross deployment to Tennessee. It's appropriate I send it tonight since this afternoon she got a call from Red Cross to open a shelter about 30 miles west in Fremont to take care of locals forced out of their homes by flooding. She's there now. She'll probably be there for about two days. Joe

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Nashville update:

I left for Nashville on Sunday, May 9. I had about 36 hour notice. That is typical of a national disaster – if you are contacted and able to go you must be ready to leave within a 24-36 hour time period. Otherwise, someone else may take your slot.

When I arrived in Nashville, it was a week after the terrible flood. The flooding was caused by a slow moving storm that dumped around 17 inches of rain in a short period of time. That caused the river to overflow as well as the many streams in the area. It was considered a 1000 year flood. No one was prepared as initially there was just supposed to be about 2-3 inches of rain at the most.

I was fortunate enough to be traveling with another person from our chapter, an 81 year old man, a retired college professor who was very spry and sharp. He had been on a few nationals before, so he was very helpful to me. Upon arrival, we picked up a rental car (provided by the Red Cross) and went directly to headquarters, which was a vacated Dr’s office building loaned to the RC for this time. It was amazing – I felt like I was showing up for first day of enlistment in the service. I had to go to one place to sign in, another place to get my lodging, another to get a staff card (a credit card preloaded with $ for expenses). I then went to another floor to sign in with Client Casework (my job for this operation) and give them my info, fill out a couple of forms). Then, I went to the hotel to settle in. The next day was one of orientation and training.

The next day, Tuesday, was my first day in the field.

RE the motel: Each person is assigned to a hotel, some were nice ones like the Hyatt, some not so nice, such as the Days Inn, where I was. The Red Cross works with various hotels looking for the best rates. You must share a room with another RC volunteer. The RC cross keeps track of each room at each hotel and as someone leaves the operation, another person is assigned to the room. I was fortunate to have two very nice roommates. I was at 2 different hotels. It is suggested that you don’t unpack too much in case you are moved to another location, which I was. The key is to be FLEXIBLE.

Here’s a sample of my daily schedule: I woke up at 6 (showered either in the AM or at night), as I was sharing the room. Left the room by 6:45 am to carpool to the headquarters. Breakfast was served from 7:15 to 8 AM. My first meeting was held at 8 AM – for the entire staff. Between 8:15 and 8:30 AM was another meeting, for caseworkers (that’s the activity that I was assigned to). After that, I picked up all my necessary paperwork that I would need when meeting with clients. My “team” would then meet up and we’d head out to our neighborhood. At the 8:30 meeting, my supervisor was given “street sheets” which told which neighborhood we’d go to. We’d then go to that neighborhood and start knocking on doors and meeting with people. Unfortunately, many people were not home as their house was unlivable. We would then leave a note with a phone # on it for them to contact the Red Cross. When they did, we would go back and visit with them. Those that were in their neighborhood we would talk with and assist them with money for food, replacing bedding, and some clothes and shoes, and referrals to other agencies depending on their needs. RC helps with IMMEDIATE needs, not long term. FEMA helps with that. My day ended with a meeting at 6:30 pm each night. Then we were released. I’d then meet up with my carpool and then go get a bite to eat and then back to the hotel. So, many times I was eating around 8 or so at night. When I returned to my room, I’d visit with my roommate, sharing info on our day, then lights out, generally around 10:30 or 11 pm.

Carpooling: RC people would congregate in the hotel parking lot and get rides from one another.

Eventually, you rode with the same people to/from most of the time. If you missed your ride, you just hopped in with someone else going to the same place.

My team consisted of a supervisor, 3 caseworkers, a mental health person and a nurse. The nurse and mental health people had to rotate between teams, so we didn’t have them every day.

A few statistics:

• Approx 2000 people lost their homes state-wide.
• 37 shelters were opened statewide
• 2400 cases were opened (meaning that many families were assisted by the Red Cross)
• 63 ERVs were assisting in the area. An ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) is like an ambulance that has been revamped. Ervs drove around specific areas giving out hot meals (prepared by the Southern Baptist kitchens), snacks, water, and some cleaning supplies. The ERVs were brought in from RC chapters around the US.
• Total RC staff statewide: 3084 (approx)
• Meals served in the shelters: 148,915
• Clean up kits distributed: 20,377 I’m not sure what they contain.
• Comfort kits distributed: 10,845 A comfort kit is basically toiletries.
• Bulk items distributed: 329,021 (this could include buckets, brooms, gloves, masks, tarps, etc)

It was a great experience. I learned a lot, met some wonderful, dedicated people. When I met with clients they were so appreciative. Got a few hugs, saw a few tears. It was somewhat easier since it was more than a week since the flooding, so the initial shock was over. Now, they faced recovery. We always wore our vests, so people would stop us occasionally in parking lots, in restaurants, etc. thanking the Red Cross for coming and helping. Many were amazed that RC volunteers came from all over the country to help. On my day off (after almost 10 days in the field), I went to a plantation with my 81-year old “boyfriend”. When they found out we were with the Red Cross, we were given free admission. Some of the restaurants gave us discounts also.

This is probably a lot more information that you would be interested in, but it has helped me to remember some of what went on. And, I am sure, I have left out a lot of info.

To every thing there is a season

Well the last mission has finally come and gone. Sometimes it feels like the last four months have just whizzed by, and yet, looking back, it feels like our deportation back in the beginning of February was years ago!

Yesterday was my last mission for this deployment. Unfortunately I couldn't share it with my crew; due to scheduling issues, a staff Nav didn't feel up to the 1215 a.m. alert/4 am takeoff! While I can't say I blame him, it meant that I had to swap crews for the last flight. My mission was an out and back to Peshawar, up in the northern reaches of western Pakistan, someplace I've never been before, so it was a pretty easy sell.

The crew consisted of Shawn Donahey, Aircraft commander, Charlie Baker, freshly minted co-pilot, Rich Reynolds, Flight Engineer, and Loadmasters Jim Ferrebee and Rich Signorelli. I have flown with all these guys back at the home station, but this was my first ride with them as a hard crew. They've been working hard the past four months, and you could tell they have bonded pretty strongly.

Our flight took us down the Persian Gulf, over the United Arab Emerites, and to the eastern side of Pakistan through Karachi, then up to Lahore, and then back west to Peshawar. I couldn't for the life of me, figure out why we went all the way over to Karachi, but each of these countries have their little idiosyncrasies, so it's not unusual to do things somewhat contrary to common sense. However, half-way up to Lahore, it became apparent the Air Traffic Controllers were having a difficult time understanding why we were flying the route we were on. There were numerous calls for identification and clarification and finally they just directed us to fly BACK across Pakistan to the western side of the country and then up to Peshawar. Luckily we had put on more gas than we normally do, and no problems complying with their every whim.

Peshawar has some mountains surrounding the city, but they are not like up in Afghanistan where your inclination sometimes is to descend in a spiral over the field in order to stay comfortably away from the high terrain. The area around the city is generally flat with lots of farm areas nearby. The city is highly populated and consists of multitudes of densely packed one-story housing units made out of brick and mortar. The thing that struck us most was the green grass and trees! Lots and lots of trees. What a refreshing sight!

Our task was to pick up an Army three-star General, and transport him and four aides back to our base after their tour of Pakistani frontier forces and training. The plan was for him to show up shortly after we landed and refueled, climb aboard, and we would briskly whisk him back to our home station. That was not quite what happened. The guy was out on a tour with a Pakistani General, and according to the Lieutenant assigned to liaison with us, there was no telling when the two of them might show up.

So, we sat and waited, refueled, re-filed our flight plan with the approved diplomatically cleared routing home, watched a couple of civilian airliners come and go, ate from our box lunches and cooler, and speculated whether we would be going home anytime soon. At about the two hour mark, the sound of helicopter blades reached us from behind some trees, and a couple of armed helicopters dropped down beside us, discharging the Generals and their various entourages.

After that, it was just a matter of them clearing customs and immigration and a long 5-hour ride back home, punctuated by a SATCOM message about an hour from landing announcing the successful arrival of most of our replacements! Seemed pretty certain that we would be done after this one.

Our landing field was obscured in blowing dust and thunderstorms upon our arrival, but Shawn flew a flawless approach to minimums, picking up the rabbit lights about a mile and a half from touchdown. With the screech of the tires touching down, the Loads, Flight Engineer and I all started clapping, celebrating the end of a long, but highly successful deployment! We've got four days of flying remaining till we're home with our family and loved ones, but it sure felt good at that moment to know we were done with our part of mission, at least for now.

Next destination: Western Pennsylvania!

Bring Me Men...

“Bring me men to match my mountains: Bring me men to match my plains: Men with empires in their purpose and new eras in their brains.”

~ Sam Walter Foss

My wife received an e-mail from my son's High School Tennis coach. He asked each of the boys' parents to participate in this year's Tennis team end of year banquet:

Parents,

Please be prepared to say a few words to your sons.

Dad’s Assignment

1. Pick a SV Tennis Core Value or a Family Core Value
2. Talk about what that core value has meant to you over the years
3. Give an example of how that core value has led to success in an area of your life.
4. Challenge your son to discover and live a life committed to core values.

Mom’s Assignment

1. Pick a good quality that your son possesses
2. Share how and when you have seen that quality come to life in your son’s life
3. Tell why that quality is so important to his future.
4. Share your love and affirmation with your son.

The talks do not have to be long, but our desire is to make a lasting memory.

Thanks for your participation.

Coach Grove

The Banquet is today, and I am unable to attend, being something in the neighborhood of 6900 miles away. My first reaction was to just say, ''that was nice," and delete the e-mail, knowing it was one more thing in my kids' lives that I was going to miss. But then I thought about it, and it struck me that this Coach was taking an interest in the lives of these boys that went way beyond the locker room or tennis court, which is really all he needed to care about. He is asking us to help mold these boys into the young men who will be the future of our families, communities and even our nation.

My son is a great kid, though not a great tennis player (yet), and he may never be, but I think he is extremely fortunate to have this type of mentoring and leadership in his life, especially coming from outside the family. It shows that our society expects great things of our youth, and not only do we have high expectations, we are committed to helping them be the best that they can be.

So, I sat down, wrote out what I would stand up and read if I was there at the banquet, and sent it to him and my wife. My thoughts may not be included in what goes on today, but I am hopeful that at some point my son will either see these words on paper or get them from me directly (when i get home), and he can think about what it takes to be a man in today's society. We can use all the good ones we can get.

The core values that have stuck with me the most are the ones that I have grown up with in the Air Force. There are three, and they are tied together.

1. Integrity First,
2. Service Before Self,
3. Excellence in All We Do.

Integrity first. Be true to yourself, your family, your team, the people you work with. People have to rely on you to do your part, and if they can’t, you make whatever group you belong to weak and unable to accomplish the goals you have set for yourselves. Be there when you say you will be, do the things that are yours to do. Be responsible and the one people can count on. Treat your friends, teammates, classmates and competitors with respect, and they will respect you.

Service before self. This is where the whole Boy Scout attitude comes into play. Do a good turn daily. Think of others ahead of your own needs. Think of what the team, your family, your neighbor, or your job requires of you, and see if you can’t easily take care of the things that spell success for that person or group, then tend to your own wants and needs.

Excellence in all we do. You don’t have to be the best, you just have to try your best. When you recognize you aren’t the best, do the work that will take you to the next level. That means study, train, practice… repeat. Don’t say you’ll do something unless you are willing to do it to the utmost of your ability. The old saying is, “a thing isn’t worth doing unless it’s worth doing right.” When you are on a team, committed to winning a game, a match or a season, your teammates expect you to show up prepared and to play. To do less is to fail them, and waste everybody’s time. Being successful in school and life is exactly the same.

Team sports are a learning laboratory for life. Enjoy the competition, savor the victories and learn from the defeats, but more than anything else, you need to embrace the experience that working together for a common goal provides. Your lives will be filled with challenges, but if you can set goals, ask for assistance when needed, help those who need your assistance, and do your best at all times, you will be successful men.