Good samaritan feeds soldiers, police and firefighters

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Debra Richardson | Robert Dorsett, an attorney at law in Austin, Texas, grills hot dogs in the Lewisburg...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Debra Richardson | Robert Dorsett, an attorney at law in Austin, Texas, grills hot dogs in the Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department kitchen Thursday, July 5. Dorset and his wife, Lori and son, Travis, have been cooking for the West Virginia National Guard, state and local police and fire fighters for the past week. The Dorsetts volunteered to cook and have been purchasing the majority of the food served.  see less | View Image Page

LEWISBURG, WV, UNITED STATES

07.06.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson 

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

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LEWISBURG, W.Va.—“How many times have people seen something bad and thought, ‘someone should fix that,’” Robert Dorsett asked. “We saw the aftermath of the storm and we wanted to help.”

Robert and his wife, Lori came to West Virginia to attend the PGA tour at The Greenbrier. Their son, Travis, lives in Lewisburg and it was going to be the perfect vacation. But the Dorsetts were shocked when they came to Lewisburg and discovered just how bad the situation really was.

“We drove into the Walmart parking lot to ask if we could help cook for the volunteers working for the power companies, but we were told they had contracted cooks,” Lori said. “We asked if they knew of an organization that needed any help or assistance and they told us about the emergency operations center, EOC, that was set up at the fire house.”

Following the storm, the EOC staged out of the Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department. The EOC includes the West Virginia National Guard, the police, public works, firefighters and various other relief personnel. In total, the group was 50 personnel strong, and climbing.

The fire department had been cooking for everyone but their supply of food was quickly diminishing and cooking three meals a day was taking its toll on the fire station crew, who was responsible for helping load and unload water while also responding to emergencies.

“We were trying to work on different operations and having to cook and clean takes people away from the main mission,” Doug Beard, safety officer with the volunteer fire department, said. “The Dorsetts offered to cook and we were so relieved. It freed up our personnel to do other things and everyone was pleased.”

Robert and Lori, from San Antonio, Texas, purchased their tickets for the Classic months ago but have yet to make it to the golf tournament or a concert.

“I love golf but this is more important,” Robert said. “We might eventually get over there but if not, that’s OK because the tournament is no longer our priority.”

The EOC runs 14-hour a day missions and receives various emergency phone calls after hours. The soldiers are called out to haul emergency generators to hospitals or nursing homes and the fire department is often called out to respond to emergency situations. But regardless of when these personnel return to the EOC, there is always a hot meal waiting on them.

“I can’t really put our appreciation for Robert, Lori and Travis into words,” Spc. Richard Hatton, assigned to 156 military police in Monaville, W.Va., said. “In times of emergency, we just jump in our trucks and go but it’s the small things, like having a hot meal, that keep us going and enable us to continue to assist the community.”

During a routine visit to the EOC, Maj. Gen. Melvin L. Burch, West Virginia National Guard, was fortunate enough to arrive during meal time and enjoyed the delicious lunch provided. “When people give up tickets to a big event like the Classic to come here and help others, that’s what being an American is all about,” Burch said.

“It’s truly something to see firsthand the kindness and generosity of people in a situation like this,” added West Virginia Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer. “We’re always focused on soldiers and airmen out helping the communities. It is heartwarming and greatly appreciated when you experience the community reaching out and helping us.”

The Dorsetts plan to head back to Texas early this week.

“Thanks to neighbor helping neighbor, storm victims have received a tremendous amount of very much needed help,” said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. “I am truly thankful for the generosity and compassion shown by the Dorsett's and so many others like them.”

“We’ll return to West Virginia soon to see our friends because we’ve met some amazingly generous people here,” Robert said. “There’s a real sense of community in West Virginia and we enjoyed being a part of the relief effort.”