Sailors Help Shipmates Affected by Flooding

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth St. John, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk

May 9, 2010 - MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Sailors not affected by the flooding that occurred May 1 at Naval Support Activity Mid-South have volunteered to help base residents who have lost almost everything.

"I'm just here to help do my part and give back to the community," said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class John A. Herod. Herod has volunteered for several days with 45 of his co-workers from Navy Recruiting Command to help residents of this community pick up the pieces and move on with their lives.

"Everyone that's been volunteering has been pretty open-hearted and very positive about the whole situation as far as helping out," he said. "We try to help them the best we can and let them know we're here for them," he added.

Each morning, volunteers gather at the Family Assistance Center and get their assignments for the day.

"There's no way we could have actually accepted all the help that has been offered to us," said retired Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Christie.

When base housing was opened to retirees, Christie moved on base to have a that sense of community. The close-knit family feeling was apparent as volunteers in trucks delivered boxes, food and water.

"The volunteers come in waves every half hour or so, every time we needed help, we got it. The help has been just amazing; it's really brought the community together as well," said Christie.

Volunteers spend their days patrolling the neighborhoods, doing what they can to help restore a sense of normalcy to residents, many of whom have lost everything they own.

"I feel terrible for them," said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Gene Griffin, stationed at Navy Recruiting Command. "You definitely want to help out your shipmates and the people you work with every day and make sure they're taken care of," he added.