ALTON, Ill. - Initial flood relief efforts began here around June 13, when Gov. Rod Blagojevich called the Illinois National Guard to state active duty. Since then, Illinois communities have continued non-stop support to the Soldiers and Airmen serving along the levees.
While the Soldiers and Airmen worked in various towns along the Mississippi River, the appreciation and support from Illinois river-town communities remains the same, strong.
"Community support has been one of the most important things for the success of our mission," said Illinois Air National Guard Master Sgt. Frank Lamm, the Joint Task Force-South first sergeant.
Support has come in many different shapes and sizes and from many different organizations. One such organization is the non-profit group Operation Homefront, which has made deliveries of food, water and various sports drinks, toiletries, and entertainment to Guardsmen in both Alton, Ill., and Pleasant Hill, Ill.
DNG Technology of Pleasant Hill donated wireless routers and equipment to Illinois National Guard troops in Pleasant Hill, and Missouri National Guard troops in Clarksville, Mo.
"I do this because it is so important to be thankful for anyone that takes their time to help you," said Dave Colwell, the owner and chief executive officer of DNG Technology.
Support has also come in the form shelter, food and water. Quincy University in Quincy, Ill., allowed Illinois National Guard troops to stay on its campus and use the facilities. The Alton Mental Heath Center also opened the doors to one of the buildings on their campus here in Alton, which gave shelter and comfort to the troops working on the levees in the Hamburg and Alton areas. The Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville also allowed the Illinois National Guard to use its building as a location for troops to sleep and relax in between shifts on the levees.
As river levels fluctuated and needs around the area changed, the base of operations for Joint Task Force-South was relocated from Alton to Pleasant Hill. Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen worked 24-hour shifts on the Sny levee and were staged out of the Pleasant Hill High School and elementary school.
Pleasant Hill is one of the many communities that opened its doors to the Illinois National Guard. "We are thrilled and honored to have these troops here as part of the flood fighting effort and as part of our community again," said William (Bill) Schotts, mayor of Pleasant Hill.
Community members were also pleased to see Illinois National Guard Soldiers answering the call to duty. "The Illinois National Guard was here in 1993 for that flood and we (are) more than happy to have them back here," said Don Peebles, superintendent of Pleasant Hill School District. "We just couldn't be happier that they are here helping us out, and whatever we can do to help them is what we are doing."
Many Illinois National Guard troops have commented on the generosity of local community members and store owners. A barber shop in Pleasant Hill offered free haircuts to all Illinois Guardsmen in exchange for a signature on a poster, which will match the poster in the shop from the 1993 flood. Several stores and gas stations were offering discounts and some free items to troops as a way to recognize their service and show their appreciation.
Signs showing support and thanks for the Illinois National Guard continue to appear along roadways throughout various towns. The signs are a visible reminder of appreciation to Guardsmen as the travel via convoy to various work sites along the levees.
As the motto states, the Illinois National Guard will be "Always Ready, Always There." The continued support and appreciation from the communities, where Soldiers and Airmen served, has made their job a little bit easier.