FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Valerie Gailliard was traveling along Interstate 77 earlier this year when her tire blew out, leaving her stranded and alone along the dark roadway. After calling for roadside assistance, Gailliard sat in her vehicle waiting for more than two hours.
"I was about to give up when I saw lights flashing in my rearview mirror, and a man wearing fatigues and a smile approached my vehicle," she said.
That man was Fort Jackson drill sergeant, Staff Sgt. David Schible, who for the past year has been aiding stranded motorists during his daily commute from Charleston.
"Since I travel nearly 100 miles one way to get home, I stay awake by helping people," said Schible, who is assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment. "If I drive and see lights blinking, I pull over and render help."
Schible began helping motorists after witnessing an accident and noticed it took nearly 30 minutes for highway patrol and emergency medical services to arrive.
"The average wait for recovery from emergency services is usually 30 minutes to two hours," he said. "Just imagine being stranded for a couple of hours. That is why I do this. I just help the stranded from the heartache and from losing money."
Elaine Brunt was driving along Interstate 26 from Charlotte, N.C., to Mount Pleasant when the tire on her SUV blew out.
"I was so scared," she said. "I thought I was either going to get hit or robbed."
As time passed, and it appeared no one was coming to her aid, Brunt continued to make calls to her roadside assistance company and other towing companies she knew of in the surrounding areas.
"The roadside assistance I pay for didn't help me much," she said. "And the towing companies either said they couldn't help me in time, wanted too much money or some of them only accepted cash, which I didn't have at the time."
After a more than two-hour wait, Brunt noticed Schible's truck pull up behind her with flashing lights. After fixing the tire in about 10 minutes, the Fort Jackson drill sergeant followed Brunt to the nearest gas station to make sure her vehicle would be able to get her home.
"Staff Sgt. David Schible is a wonderful man," Brunt said. "He has done so much for so many people. I had never witnessed a guardian angel until I met him."
Schible estimates he has helped more than 300 motorists so far.
"Ninety-five percent of the time they need help with fuel, changing a tire, tools or mechanical work," he said. "It is something I love to do. I love working on vehicles and helping people. It is a passion."
Schible said he is not in it for money. He doesn't charge anything for his services. On the contrary, he said he has spent thousands of dollars out of his pocket to purchase things such as tire repair kits, a fire extinguisher, air compressor and extra fuel.
To help offset his expenses, he established Guardian Roadside Assistance, a non-profit organization. But Schible doesn't advertise or even give out his phone number.
He just keeps his eyes open for those stranded along the highways in need of help.
"I just want them to know they are dealing with someone who really cares," he said.
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