Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy teamed up with Washington County/Johnson City Emergency Management Agency Director Evan Clyburn and Operations and Training Officer Kat Latham, as they have so often over the past month. This time it was to recognize the heroic efforts of the 456 soldiers of the Tennessee National Guard Joint Task Force who came from all over Tennessee to support the search, rescue and relief efforts in Washington County. The volunteer soldiers are all part of the 194th Engineer Brigade, 230th Engineer Battalion which brought logistics and engineering experts to our region from across the Volunteer State.
Both Grandy and Clyburn thanked the volunteer soldiers “for a debt we cannot repay,” presenting them with a plaque and providing them with a farewell lunch at the United States Armed Forces Reserve Center in Gray, TN.
Lt. Colonel Ben Weaver, Joint Task Force Engineer Commander, 230th Engineer Battalion, thanked the Washington County representatives for their hospitality. “We never went hungry,” he said with a chuckle. “Your resiliency makes me proud to be a Tennessean and get you guys back on the long road to recovery. It’s bittersweet to leave, but you will come back stronger and more united.”
The soldiers worked throughout the seven counties of Northeast TN. They helped in many different ways. Lt. Colonel Weaver called attention to two soldiers who helped in the harrowing rescue of six people from the rapidly rising waters that encircled Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin one month ago. Among the many other ways the soldiers provided assistance, they moved 990 cubic yards, or ten football fields, of debris from the hurricane impacted areas.
Special recognition was given to Sgt. First Class Brett Rodefer who worked in Washington County’s Emergency Operations Center for much of the duration of the incident.
Lt. Colonel Weaver presented certificates of appreciation to Grandy, Clyburn, Latham, Assistant Highway Superintendent Doug Jones and Solid Waste Director Lewis Haynie.