Dyess Airmen prepare shelters for evacuees

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kiley Olds
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Airmen here helped local American Red Cross officials prepare three shelters in Abilene, Texas Sept. 23 for Hurricane Rita evacuees.

About 100 Airmen put together cots and hauled water in preparation for more than 450 evacuees seeking shelter from the hurricane.

Senior Master Sgt. Deb Norris, 7th Mission Support Squadron military personnel flight superintendent called the local American Red Cross chapter asking what she could do to help. When Ronny Broadus, American Red Cross program director for the Texas Big Country region, asked her if she could bring some help, neither one expected so many people would show.

“I was very surprised,” Mr. Broadus said. “Dyess Airmen have always supported and assisted us anytime we needed help.”

“I didn’t think people would respond so fast,” Sergeant Norris added. “Within 30 minutes, several Airmen were at the shelters ready to help. There was no shortage of Airmen wanting to help.”

Within 45 minutes, Airmen volunteers had set up hundreds of cots in rows, each one with a blanket and pillow.

“The Airmen were a great help,” Mr. Broadus said. “They didn’t hesitate and were always on the go.”

Even after the cots had been set up, Airmen were still showing up wanting to know what they could do to help.

“I’ve always been proud of Dyess and the military,” Mr. Broadus said. “I have never been disappointed in what they do for us. It was a great response, and I was impressed (by) the work and turnout they did today.”

Dyess Air Force Base and Abilene are located approximately 389 miles northwest from where Hurricane Rita is expected to make landfall Sept. 24 near Port Arthur, Texas.