A lonely flag flys in a field of devastation at ground 0 #530slide - TopicsExpress



          

A lonely flag flys in a field of devastation at ground 0 #530slide .Today was an emotional day . It actually began last night as I packed a back pack for what I thought I might come up against. I set the alarm and held my shorty close . 530am seemed forever time away. As I woke and got ready for the day a flurry of emotion came over me. I kissed Cathy good buy and told Cristian Binder, and Cathy I Loved them. I drove to Randy Williams house to pick him up. I usually can park right out front, however. Every state and government agency was parked in front of his house using the old School building as a headquarters. As we loaded up we began to process what we just saw and what we were going to see. Our drive was a quiet one which is unusual for us. Just ask anybody. During the trip I think we were starting to realize how real this is. As we got close to the OSO fire station it was pretty clear this is a team effort. There was cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, heavy equipment , campers, cop cars as far as you could see. As we pulled in, The fire department made a parking lot in back for all the overflow. As we walked in and checked in the warmth was felt if it wasnt the AWESOME ladies serving breakfast it could be the five tables filled with food and gear. As we ate and suited up I looked around at the 200+ people , and many search dogs and I knew we all hade at least one thing in common. Get us out there we are ready to work. We were briefed on the days events and how they would unfold . We were told that not everyone could go. Some may have to wait. Randy and my name were called, and we loaded the bus all geared up. Duct tape around seams in our cloths because we were about to go into a hazmat zone . There we were on the bus passing the Road block and around the corner from Ground 0 . Meanwhile back in town Cathy and Diane Scotty Irwin were kicking major butt at putting together donations for The SoupLadies ( group that feeds first responders and also are there to talk with) they feed hundreds of meals daily until the crisis is over. As Randy, me, and our group unloaded we were briefed by the on sight commander . He broke us up into smaller detachments. We were group 2. A group of 8 strangers who in a matter of minutes were united in our cause. As we walked into the sight nothing could prepare me for what I was to see. The conditions were muddy, muddy and oh yeah muddy . You hear about the river findings new path. Well there was about ten we crossed . Our first debris pile we walked by was incredible. A car twisted like a pipe cleaner around a tree. Here a boot there a sink, here a book, there a doll. As we walked into the open area the sheer magnitude if the devastation was overwhelming . If asked to describe it I would say it looked like a land fill on the moon. The truth of the matter is this was homes, memories, and peoples lives . We walked to our search sight were we had the opportunity to work along side the Fire fighters, National Guard, FEMA, heavy equipment operators, search dogs, and many others. I was very humbled by the experience. I only got a short time to work out there. These HEROS have been there since day 1. My heart breaks for all of those who lost love ones. Our community is one of amazement . The amount of people helping out is incredible. I am sorry I do not have pictures, however I will not post out of respect of the situation. Todays lesson . Hold your loved ones close, laugh a lot , be mad as little as possible because you never know whats around the bend. God bless all those involved Damon R Binder Proud Arlingtonight
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 02:43:46 +0000

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