BEAUFORT, S.C. - Col. Gordon Johnson of Columbia, S.C., has the large responsibility of caring for soldiers and airmen's needs at the North Carolina Forward Operating Base (FOB) during the Vigilant Guard 2008 exercise held in Beaufort County, S.C.
His responsibilities include everything from feeding, showering and ensuring the safety of National Guard members during this historic exercise. Additional support and comfort came yesterday when Swansea First Baptist Church of the South Carolina Baptist Convention donated a portable shower and washer dryer trailer for the week-long exercise.
Although the National Guard provided showers and portable bath rooms for guard members the additional donation was quite helpful. The trailer has five showers, three washers, and three dryers and was built by Hamp Redmond and Johnny King, two members of Swansea First Baptist Church.
"The vision came from working with Katrina victims in Pascagoula, Mississippi rebuilding demolished homes," said Redmond, who saw the need for future help during emergencies.
The additional showers will help relieve the big rush of approximately 800 Guard members in the FOB to shower in the mornings and evenings. The washers are considered a luxury for Guard members while in field and are useful in saving time and money during this exercise.
"We are just so thankful for the support and generosity from our community," said Lt. Rainer Cooke, FOB officer in charge. "It is amazing."
Johnny King said the ladies of the church got together to provide various colored laundry bags, washing detergent, hair dryers, and Bibles.
"We didn't want our Guard members to have to pay for this," said King.
Terry Wilder, pastor of Swansea First Baptist, said part of his mission is to take the trailer where ever there is a need.
"This is just another way of doing God's work," said Wilder.
"This is a great example of community working together to respond to a natural disaster."