Engineers
from the 111th Engineer Battalion, Texas Army National Guard, working with
local first responders, rescue three people from a stalled vehicle stuck in a
low water crossing, May 26, 2015 near Granbury, Texas. Texas Guardsmen rescued
more than 100 Texans in need during flooding across the state, mid-late May
2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Max Perez/ Released)
GRANBURY,
Texas - A team of Texas National Guard engineers rescued three people from
flooding waters, May 26, 2015 in Granbury, Texas.
Working with local and state first responders,
Texas Guardsmen spent the Memorial Day weekend responding to many such calls
for help all over Texas.
“We got a
call around midnight from the local sheriff’s department,” said 1st Lt. Max
Perez, 236th Engineer Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, Texas Army National
Guard. “They asked us to check a neighborhood near the Brazos River for flooded
homes and anyone in need.”
Perez took
his team of engineers and split into two groups to better search the
neighborhood for citizens in need.
“The
soldiers responded very quickly; they only took 10 or 15 minutes to get ready
to go,” said Perez. “They were pretty motivated about the mission – eager to
save lives.”
With the
help of a local police officer and a local firefighter, the engineers combed
through the neighborhood checking on residents.
“We found a
stranded car that couldn’t move,” said Perez. “There was water up to the window
of the car.”
The
engineers immediately stopped and got out to help; each soldier securing
themselves to a safety line attached to their military vehicle or another
stationary object first.
“We saw a
family – a woman, her daughter, about three or four, and a man, stuck in the
car,” said Perez.
Staff Sgt. Thomas Kennington, 111th Forward
Support Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, along with several other soldiers,
pulled the little girl and her mother from the car and brought them to safety,
then returned for the man. Once all three people were safe, the team pulled the
vehicle to dry land, to ensure that it wouldn’t wash away, said Perez.
“This is the
first time I’ve ever done anything like this,” said Kennington. “When you’re in
that moment with lights flashing, water rushing and soldiers around you whose
safety you are concerned for – it’s an adrenaline flow.”
The
engineers were grateful to have been able to help their fellow citizens in need
that day.
“The little
girl thanked me over and over for saving her and her Mama,” said Kennington.
“That’s what this is all about.”
Perez said
he was just thankful to have been asked to help and that he was proud of his
soldiers.
“They showed
me the reason why they put on the uniform that night,” said Perez. “Their
bravery and dedication was amazing.”
Texas
Guardsmen rescued more than 100 Texans in need during flooding across the
state, mid-late May 2015.
