TF Rough Riders help with clean up after storm

By Capt. John Brimley, Mission Training Center Bliss Public AffairsSeptember 30, 2014

TF Rough Riders help with clean up after storm
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, 5th Armored Brigade, along with local city workers pitched in Sept. 22 to help repair the damage brought on by heavy storms at the Benavidez-Patterson "All Airborne" Chapte... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
TF Rough Riders help with clean up after storm
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Marshall Williams, observer/coach-trainer with 3rd Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, 5th Armored Brigade, directs traffic during TF Rough Riders' clean up Sept. 22 at the Benavidez-Patterson "All Airborne" Chapter... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
TF Rough Riders help with clean up after storm
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, 5th Armored Brigade, and local city workers, take a break from the cleanup to take a group picture in front of the Benavidez-Patterson "All Airborne" Chapter of the 82nd Ai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

EL PASO, Texas -- Thunderstorms pounded communities throughout El Paso over the past week leaving neighborhoods and local businesses struggling to find a safe pathway to open their doors.

With a little help from Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 360th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, 5th Armored Brigade, along with local city employees, the Benavidez-Patterson "All Airborne" Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Inc., was able to open its doors sooner than expected after water and mud flooded their headquarters and parking lot located on Fort Boulevard.

This is a regular occurrence for members of the association. As storms and rain fall on El Paso, flood waters typically find their way inside the building. But this time instead of cleaning it up themselves or hiring someone to do it, TF Rough Rider stepped up to help out.

"We were here on Friday and saw all of the debris that rolled off the mountain," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Davis, TF Rough Rider senior enlisted leader. "I thought it would be a good idea to come help clean it up."

These two organizations are no strangers to one another and the partnership between the two has allowed both groups to benefit from the close relationship.

"We use the building, so it's important to help out," said Staff Sgt. Marshall Williams, TF Rough Rider observer/coach-trainer.

Just as Williams and Davis recognize the debt of gratitude owed to the association for offering the building for unit events, the members are very thankful for the assistance provided by the Rough Riders.

"It means the world to us," said Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Lee Walker, chapter chairman. "It's good to have a partnership with units that are willing to help."

Although much of the assistance came from green suitors, the Soldiers and "All Airborne" chapter members weren't alone in this fight. Williams reached out to a few local city workers in the area who helped turn an all day job into a three-hour mission.

"Heroes aren't always the ones in uniform," said Williams. "Sometimes they're everyday people."

The workers were able to access heavy equipment to clear the parking lot and transport the debris.

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