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Minot Airmen help neighbors as flood water rises

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT, N.D. --  With the Souris River threatening to break the levies already in place, thousands of Minot citizens, including military members, their families and DoD civilians, were forced to evacuate the area here June 1.

Driving through the city, one can see the devastation with many families having to leave the area they call home.

Many have sought shelter with friends and families outside of the evacuation areas. For those without those options, many businesses throughout the community have opened their doors, including Minot Air Force Base.

Major flooding of the area is anticipated. After families are done packing up their lives into the back of their cars, all they can do is assist others in this situation.

Not only are Minot natives doing what they can to help the city but Air Force Global Strike Airmen and their families are doing their part as well.

Airmen have been all over the city helping where they can, whether moving furniture for evacuating families or bagging sand to give threatened homes a fighting chance, Minot Airmen consider the city their own community.

"Just because most of us aren't originally from here, it doesn't mean we don't consider this city to be our own," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Valentine, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew team chief. "We take pride in being part of this city, so we can't just stand by and watch this happen. We're doing what we can to help."

Public Works in downtown Minot was one of the sites for sandbagging. Airmen were seen working hand in hand with locals, and said they were proud to do it.

"We had a really good turnout up here," said Staff Sgt. Adam Marsh, 5th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor. "Our leadership has made this an alternate duty location. We're spread all over the city. Saving as many people and their homes is most important right now."

With many families fearing they'll lose their homes, the only thing most can do to cope is to keep themselves busy.

"The hardest part of all of this is the uncertainty; not knowing what to expect from all of this," said John Solwey, an accountant at Premier Pulses International and Minot citizen for more than 20 years. "I'm in one of the closest zones to the river, so my family's been very affected by this. Ever since we found out, our entire neighborhood has come together to get through this situation."

He said his family has already packed everything up and are as prepared as possible. Now all they can do is wait. They have chosen to do so while bagging sand for the rest of the community.

"There's something about sandbagging that is therapeutic," he said. "The point is that everyone needs help. To just sit and wait wouldn't be right."

As Airmen were out helping throughout the town, some in uniform, others not, Minot natives recognized their presence and were grateful for their assistance.

"It shows that they are just as part of this community as any of the natives," said Mr. Solwey. "It shows that they support us, just as much as we support them and the base's mission."

Even the Airmen's families are doing what they can to help. A group of Airmens' spouses got together to deliver sandwiches and drinks to everyone out working in the community.

"The ladies made more than 400 meals, which included a sandwich, chips or fruit, and a drink," said Marlena Leveton, wife of Airman 1st Class Cory Leveton, 91st Missile Wing. "We wanted to help. Minot may not be our hometown, but it is our home. Being a military wife, we have the 'we have to stick together' mentality."

"No matter what happens, the Minot community will get through this," she continued. "The base and the community have very strong relations, and I believe that relationship will be a huge contributing factor in the city's ability to pull through this."