Newspapers / The Duplin Times (Warsaw, … / May 31, 1984, edition 1 / Page 10
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National Guard Units j Assist Torando Victims I On March 28, 1984, while the ?tate'a wont storm of the century stilt raped North Carolina National Guardsmen began reporting for duty, even before they could be officially called. During the emergency over 660 men and women of the Army and Air Guard were committed. They in vested over 4,300 man days in the rescue and recovery effort. They utilized over 200 military vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment, six helicopters, five C-130 aircraft, and a variety of other material including generators, chain saws, emergency lighting, field kitchens and medical equipment. They performed a variety of mis sions ranging from local traffic control and security to assisting community officials in rescuing the injured and assessing damage to sharing coordination of the total recovery effort with top state and federal officials. Guard involvement began early. Lt. Col. George T. Paris, Comman der of the 2nd Battalion, 252d Armor, and Mayor of Red Springs, one of the hardest hit communities, began gathering Guardsmen at that town's armory within minutes of the storm's passing. His 8:30 p.m. call to the State Duty Officer requesting the activation of IS Guardsmen set the tone for what was to come. Guard personnel in other areas hit by the twisters reacted in the same manner. The first official notification on the state level was received at 10:30 p.m. at his home, by CW4 Wiley Jackson, Command Administrative Specialist. The first call officially mobilizing a large number of troops went out at 10:45 p.m. to the 2nd Battalion, 252d Armor, Fayetteville, directing that 200 Guardsmen be rushed to nearby Red Springs, which had been almost totally destroyed. Fifty-three Guardsmen reported within 30 minutes. In one of the odd twists of fate that would mark many experiences with this storm, the unit stationed at Red Springs was undergoing annual training at Fort Bragg and could not ?*d its own community. Thus the Fayetteville unit was ordered to go to the assistance of its neighbors. This scenario was repeated in the affected areas as, one by one, 13 units were involved: HQ STARC, Raleigh. HHC(-) 30th Inf. Bde, Clinton, Det 1 HHC 30th Inf Bde, Mount Olive, Co. C 2nd Bn 252d Armor, Southern Pines, Det 1, 694th Maint Col, Snow Hill, 514th MP Co., Greenville, HHC 1st Bn 119th Inf., Ahoskie, Det 1 HHC 2nd Bn 252d Armor, Red Spriogs, HQ 690th Maint Bn, Kinston, HHC(-) 2nd Bn 252d Armor, Raeford, 1st Bn 252d Armor, Fayetteville, Det" 1 Co D 230th Spt Bn. Benson, and Co D(l) z?tn Avn tin., Mornsvuie. Within two hours from the first report of storm damage, some 370 Guardsmen had been called to state duty. By 11 p.m. Wednesday, March 2& Gen. Leonard, his chief of staff, Col. Bruce Guard and other Guards men were at the EOC coordinating military and civilian relief efforts. While Guard armories became staging points for the relief effort, they also opened their doors to shelter the homeless. Before mid night on the 28th, the armory at Mount Olive housed ISO people waiting out the storm. In Greene County, 100 sought aid in the local armory. In Wayne County the number was 250. As reports flowed into the emergency operations center that first terrible night, they were re corded in an official log in large, hurried handwriting - 30 to 40 injured in Pitt County, 25 injured in Wayne County, 2 dead in Scotland County 1 dead in Maxton, Duplin and Robeson counties. All night the reports rolled in, every call reporting more damage, more homeless, more injured and killed. At first light on March 29, Lt. Col Leslie T. Everett landed his Guard helicopter on the windy pad outside the EOC. Following their all-night vigil in Raleigh, Gov. Hunt ana Gen Hubert M. Leonard, Hunt's Adjutant General, began an on-site inspection of the damage. Major disaster areas visited were Maxton, Red Serines. Faison. Mount Olive, Ayden, Snow Hill, Lewiston and Ahoskie. They met and talked with the mayors and local government officials in the stricken areas. Gov. Hunt stated that the disaster damage was the worst he had ever seen in North Carolina, even greater than that caused by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. To meet these devasting condi tions, the Governor called for federal and Red Cross assistance to supple ment National Guard and other local resources in their efforts to provide immediate aid. Requests poured in from affected counties for trans portation, shelter, medical and security personnel. Armories con tinued to open throughout the state providing shelter and functioning as collection points and distribution centers. Additional Guard personnel were sent to various locations to assist in rescue, search, security and clean-up operations. In many cases the mere sight of positive acting being taken in the crisis was as important as the aid itself according to observers. Perhaps one of the most critical services provided by Guardsmen was communications assistance. Many areas were out of touch until National Guard mobile radio and telephone equipment were dispatch ed and placed into operation. The Guard and the Highway Patrol supplied the equipment and person nel to keep channels of communi cation open, until normal services were restored. The North Carolina Air National Guard based in Charlotte flew five C-130 relief missions during tornado disaster relief operations for the period of March 30 through April ,1. North Carolina Air National Guard aircraft participating in the disaster relief mission airlifted in excess of 100,000 pounds for a total of 12.8 flying hours in aid to eastern North Carolina tornado victims. On Friday, March 30, the North Carolina Air National Guard flew two C-130 relief missions from Winston Salem to Greenville to deliver several trailer truckloads of supplies to the disaster areas. A third C-130 aircraft was scheduled to Winston Salem on March 30 which was loaded with supplies to be delivered to Lumberton at the direction of the N.C. Emergency Operations Center. Requests for aid and assistance continued to be logged and acted upon until April 13. By April 3. the worst was over and the Guard began to phase out its participation, leaving local and state officials in good shape to continue the rebuilding process. On April 13th the last Guardsman was withdrawn from state duty. Guard personnel moved 1.900 plus tons of clothing, food, furniture, etc. to the disaster areas for approxi mately two weeks. Over 29,000 miles were covered during this period of time. Approximately 265 man days were invested in the moving process by Guardsmen all across the state. Supplies for the needy families were stored in 22 different warehouses. Tobacco warehouses were used mainly due to their floor capacity. Guard personnel moved 15 to 20 truckloads on March 31 and April 1 from as far as Gates County to Maxton. The bulk of moving supplies to the stricken areas began on April 2. The Concord National Guard unit provided 181 out of the 265 man days with 24 wheeler trucks in moving supplies to the disaster areas. Over 5,000 donation receipts were issued by National Guard armories during collection of items for the needy families. The National Guard expended less than $5,000 for fuel during the distribution of supplies to^ the dis aster areas. All National Guard armories remained open for two weekends following the tornado dis aster for receipt of items. Delivery by Guardsmen ranged from pick-up truckloads to tractor trailer truck loads. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Edward J. Philbin commended the North Carolina National Gaurd for its out standing performance in mobilizing at the call of Governor Hunt and coming to the aid of the state's citizens in the aftermath of the tornadoes. "Whether it is a parable or a fable depends on oneself." ? Henry S. Haskins Dentist Completes Course | Dr. Mett B. Ausley of Warsaw recently completed a 10-month Ions course in the straight-wire orthodon tic technique conducted in Charlotte by the American Orthodontic Society. The course, which included 120 hours of lectures and lab exercises, provided Dr. Ausley and his col leagues with a complete look at the technique, a modern, clinically proven method of straightening teeth. Dr. Ausley offers orthodontic care as well as general dentistry in his practice which he has maintained at ? ? m ? WJJ College it. in Warsaw tor the past 30 years. He is one of thousands of family dentists across the country to offer orthodontic care as well as general dental services. Dr. Ausley is a 1950 graduate of UNC-CH and received his dental education at UNC dental school, graduating in 1954 with a DDS. The American Orthodontic Society is a national, non-profit educational organization of some 1,500 members with headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Robert Gerety, one of the fore most dental instructors in the country, was the clinician for the course. Named Courier Editor Associate Editor Anthony Hatcher, of the Clemmcn.. Courier, has been elevated to the position of editor, according to an announcement by Myrtle Tomlinson, the former editor. Mrs. Tomlinson will continue to serve in her capacity as pub Usher and business manager. Hatcher, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hatcher of Kenansville, began working with the Courier in January of this year and "has excelled in all phases of the production of the newspaper," said Mrs. Tomlinson. OPENING JUNE 2 Randy's Auto Repair Fully certified 8c licensed auto technician Owned 8C Operated By Randy Burd Rt. 1 Murphy Rd. Pink Hill Phone 568-4130 Brass Electric Candlestick Lamps ^9.99 Wrought Iron floor Lamps Jl24.99 Miniature Tobacco Horses With Deal Tobacco *5.98 Wooden Apples, Ruffled Shades and Wreaths, Williamsburg Candles, Wood Shelves, Pillows, I Grapevine Baskets & Wreaths. New Stencils In Paint & Unfinished Wood for the 1 "Do It Ynurselfer" \ Punched Tin Class, May 18. Class limited. Must \ Pre-reglster. I Open Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 1 Closed Wednesday afternoon i this That I & the Other I Country Gift Shop & Horiat J 2 Mi. N. Pink Hill Call 568-3562 J &Rdk TyCer vernon park mall kinston ONLY AT BELK TYLER VERNON PARK MALL KINSTON ? * ... Due To The Final Phase Of Our Remodeling We Need To Make Way For Our Building Contractor 6000 Items In Ladies Summer Sportwear NOW SALE PRICED Summer Blazers Skirts-Pants-Shorts Blouses-Culottes Swim Suits Sweaters 20%OFP 33Y3%OFF 50% OFF 75% OFF All Famous Brands ? PERSONAL* ? JANTZEN* ? CATALINA ? ? VILLAGER ? ? BRECKENRIDGE ? ?WHITE STAG* ? JONES NEW YORK* ? JOHN MEYER* ? J.G. HOOK* ? EVAN PICONE ? ?GANT? ? m. m ? ? KORET? ? QUEEN CASUAL* ? HAGGAR CLASSICS ? ? FIRE ISLANDER* ? DEVON? ?CENTURY* ? ITEM EYES* ? LADY THOMSON* ? OLEG CASSINI ? DONN KENNY* ?JUDY BOND ? ? ? Racks-N-Kacks I SIZE 32-34-36-38-40-42-44-46 I I Ladies Summer Sportswear I I 1/2 PRICE J >? * ?' v SI
The Duplin Times (Warsaw, N.C.)
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May 31, 1984, edition 1
10
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