Honor and Service: Texas State Guard’s Heroic Efforts During Texas Storm Crisis

A few weeks ago, Texas was ravaged by catastrophic storms & tornadoes that left widespread devastation in their wake. The severe weather caused extensive damage to infrastructure and left hundreds of thousands without power, resulting in a significant loss of food for both citizens and supermarkets due to prolonged power outages. In response to this crisis, the Texas State Guard was rapidly deployed across the state to carry out a variety of critical missions. Their efforts included setting up Points of Distribution (PODs) to provide essential supplies such as food and water to affected Texans and evaluating the damage to key infrastructure sites.

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Brigades of the Texas State Guard deployed hundreds of soldiers to multiple locations across the state. These brigades played a vital role in establishing PODs and assessing infrastructure damage, working in conjunction with local police and fire departments as well as the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Over the past ten days, hundreds of Texas guardsmen from General Support Units (GSUs) traveled to communities in Denton, Valley View, Tyler, Kaufman, and Fannin counties. Their coordinated efforts with TDEM and other partner agencies were crucial in providing logistical support and ensuring that local communities received the necessary assistance for recovery. The Texas State Guard’s continuous training enables them to respond flexibly and efficiently to natural disasters and emergencies, living up to their motto, “Equal to the Task!”

During their operations, Texas State Guard troops discovered a heavily damaged U.S. flag amid the storm’s rubble in Valley View, Texas, on Memorial Day, May 27th, 2024. Despite their busy support mission, they decided to retrieve and honor the flag immediately. Lt. Col. Michael Laird, commanding the General Support Unit, led an impromptu ceremony where the tattered flag was respectfully folded and presented to the Command Sergeant Major for retirement after a final salute. This act of reverence and respect on Memorial Day highlighted the Texas State Guard’s deep commitment to the values of Honor and Respect, honoring those who have served while aiding those in need.

Texas Division of Emergency Management is with FEMA Region 6 and 6 others.

State emergency response resources continue to support communities impacted by severe weather.
State responders are assisting at points of distribution in Northeast Texas for impacted Texans to pick up water, ice, ready-to-eat meals, and other supplies.

Responding to tornados, storms and flooding in North Texas, more than 100 members of the Texas State Guard from across the state provide water, ice and food, assess damage to critical infrastructure to help local communities receive assistance they need, and provide logistics support as communities recover from weather related emergencies over the past 10 days. Organized in General Support Units (GSUs), guardsmen of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Brigade, as well as headquarters, traveled to Denton, Valley View, and Tyler as well as Kaufman and Fannin counties according to the need of local communities in coordination with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and other partner agencies. Guardsmen train continuously to be ready to respond in times of natural disasters and other emergencies and be flexible and responsive to situations as they occur. The Texas State Guard is “Equal to the Task!” Well done all. (Texas State Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Illich and Maj. Stephen Walker) #duty #HONOR #texas #txlege #TXMilitary #TexansServingTexas
https://join.txsg.state.tx.us/

Smith County
A steady stream of cars has come through the POD (Point of Distribution) center in Lindale today.
The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Military Department is running the drive-thru distribution sites until 7 p.m. today, Thursday, June 6, at First Baptist Church, located at 103 E. Van Street in Lindale.
They are giving out cases of water, large bags of ice, tarps and MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) to Smith County residents who have suffered from power outages and damages from the recent severe weather.
There is a second POD at Chapel Hill High School, located at 13172 Texas Highway 64 East, Tyler. They are distributing the same items there until 7 p.m. today.
If the need continues, Smith County will open both PODS back up at 8 a.m. Friday.
Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office
Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas Division of Emergency Management
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Region 6
Texas Military Department
City of Lindale
Lindale PD
Lindale Fire Department
Smith County Sheriff’s Office

Seeing a heavily damaged U. S. flag in a debris field amid the devastation in the wake of a tornado, members of the Texas State Guard, render honors during an ad hoc ceremony in Valley View, Texas, Memorial Day, May 27th, 2024. Lt. Col. Michael Laird, the officer commanding the General Support Unit, explained, “While we were busy with the support mission, supplying water, ice and basic supplies to area residents impacted by the severe storms, we made the immediate decision to retrieve the flag as soon as we spotted it. It didn’t deserve to be there, it was Memorial Day, we knew we needed to get that flag.” Assembling the troops in formation, a small detail folded the tattered flag with due respect, presented it to Laird who turned it over to the Command Sergeant Major to retire the colors after a final salute. Laird said, “It was the right thing to do, especially on Memorial Day remembering all those who served.” This action embodies two of the Texas State Guard values, Honor and Respect. Well done all! #duty #honor #texas #TXSG #MemorialDay, #txlege #TexansServingTexas
https://join.txsg.state.tx.us/

Sources: ABC KTRE Channel 9 – Texas State Guard 1st Brigade – 2nd Brigade – 6th Brigade – Smith County