Published: February 14, 2008
Indiana National Guard and local responders pitch in to aid Lake Shafer resident
by Spc. William E. Henry
Indiana National Guard Soldiers from the 1638th Transportation Company from Remington and Detachment 1, from Gary assist local first responders from the Monon and other Volunteer Fire Departments in a sandbagging mission at Lake Shafer in nearby Monticello February 13. The
White County Emergency Management Agency called upon the Indiana National Guard for assistance as they lacked manpower to complete the mission. (Photo by Spc. William E. Henry, Indiana National Guard)
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Indiana Army National Guard units were activated to the Lake Shafer area along with several volunteer emergency responder agencies from White County to fill sandbags February 13. Soldiers from 1638th Transportation Company from Remington and Detachment 1, from Gary along with the 1538th Transportation Company from Elkhart all came to assist in the efforts and filled about 9,000 sandbags by the end of the operation. The sandbags will be used to help prevent further damage to homes in the area due to an ice blockage on a bridge causing water to continue to rise in the lake.
The White County Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director, Rose Brady, said they called on the Indiana National Guard for additional help. "The only thing we can do is sandbag, that's why the state activated the National Guard because we didn't have the manpower to do it."
Members of the 1638th Transportation Company, Detachment 1, out of Gary endure the elements and darkness to guarantee that there were over 9000 sandbags filled to hold back the rising waters of Lake Shafer in White County, Indiana February 13. (Photo by Sgt. Michael Krieg,
Indiana National Guard)
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She added that there are not enough words for people who volunteer their time to help prevent further damage to the homes in the communities across the state. Resident Tim Dwier echoed Brady's sentiments referring to the Indiana National Guard as an asset to Hoosiers.
"I think its great the National Guard came to help. It's a natural disaster and this area has been considered a disaster area."
Corporal Duane Noe of the 1638th Transportation Company in Remington said he was happy to assist, despite the adverse weather conditions.
The efforts to hold back the rising flood waters of Lake Shafer in White County, Indiana, involved many state and county agencies February 13. Mrs. Rose Brady, the Deputy Director for the White County Emergency Management Agency, works side by side filling sandbags with members
of the 1638th Transportation Company from Remington and Gary, as well as the 1538th Transportation Company from Elkhart, Indiana. (Photo by SGT Michael Krieg, Indiana National Guard)
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"It's cold, but I enjoy helping the community, it's good to give back. It's nice to see everybody out here trying to give something back and do their part."
Specialist Andre Dawson, of the Detachment 1, 1638th Transportation Company in Gary, had similar thoughts.
"I think it's going to help the community whereas they are going to say that the National Guard, the town's people and everybody came together. It will help to know that at least somebody came to their rescue."
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