PRINCETON, W.Va. (Dec. 21, 2009) -- This past weekend's winter storm plastered Mercer County with more than 17 inches of snow, but it also uncovered local heroes.

Among those who rose above the snow drifts to aid stranded motorists was Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Athy, U.S. Army Princeton Recruiting Station commander, who kept the office open from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening.

Athy, who lives in viewing distance of the recruiting station, didn't think twice before calling his command and asking permission to open the station's doors to those who were being turned away from the local hotels that were packed due to the hazardous road conditions on Route 460 and Interstate 77.

Granted the recruiting station, which is located less than five miles from both Route 460 and Interstate 77, doesn't have beds or a continental breakfast, but the noncommissioned officer with 14 years in service did his best to provide accommodations.

"I knew it wasn't the Ritz, but I wanted to help," Athy said. "If people are in need, you help - it's the right thing to do."

The local radio station, J104.5, aired a sort of SOS Friday afternoon asking listeners if they knew of any places where stranded motorist could find refuge.

"Athy was the first person to call in and offer shelter," said James DeBorde of radio station J104.5. "Motorists started calling in asking his contact information. There was a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 77 where traffic was completely stopped with a 12- to 14-hour wait. If it hadn't been for him, there were some motorists who wouldn't have had anywhere else to go."

After providing the local radio station with his contact information and informing the police department of his plan to assist, Athy brought blankets, board games and movies from his home to the office; and using his own money purchased food and beverages from the local Wal-mart. After hearing about Athy, the store's manager agreed to pay half of the bill.

"I knew the stranded motorists would probably be hungry, cold and in need of something to do to bide their time," Athy said. "I brought as much as I could to the station from my home and purchased the rest. Hopefully, it was enough."

For the more than 60 stranded motorists who stayed at the recruiting station at various times Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it was enough to get them through the weekend and back on their way.

"I was surprised at how many stayed with us at the station," said the Kentucky native.

Among the travelers who sought refuge at the recruiting station were families from Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; Florida; Ohio and a couple from Canada.

"There were also two Marines traveling home from Camp Lejeune, N.C., who stopped at the recruiting station and stayed for awhile," Athy said.

Besides having enough supplies for the stranded motorists staying at the recruiting station, Athy was also concerned about losing power. According to reports from Appalachian Power, more than 130,000 West Virginia customers lost service Saturday.

"I kept a close eye on the news reports and just kept hoping that the station wouldn't lose power," Athy said. "Thankfully, it didn't."

"I'm thankful for everything that went right this past weekend and those who assisted," Athy said. "From the manager at Wal-mart helping out with the purchases, to the radio station that broadcasted our contact information, to the police who drove travelers to the station, this is a community that I'm proud to be a member of."

Athy has received many calls today from those weary travelers who spent the weekend at the Princeton Recruiting Station.

"They didn't have to call," Athy said. "But it's nice to know they made it safely to where they were going. I hope they have a great holiday."

(Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Athy is the station commander of the Princeton Recruiting Station, Blacksburg Company, Beckley Battalion. The Princeton Recruiting Station is located at Suite 14, 1243 Stafford Drive, Princeton, W.Va., 24740. Jamie Carson is the Advertising and Public Affairs specialist for the Beckley Recruiting Battalion.)