National Guard lends strength and support to Appomattox Co.

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APPOMATTOX COUNTY (WSLS 10) - For those who still have homes standing, downed trees and heavy debris still linger, making it impossible to move forward in making their house a home.

"It looks like there has been a war," said Lucille Jennings, 80.

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Jennings survived the storm, but her trailer took a beating from downed trees she was unable tot move on her own.

"People been coming up here yesterday," said Jennings. "About 200 site-seers and they just looked." Just onlookers who did not offer a helping hand.

"All these people that came up sightseeing, they had chain saws and things on their pick up trucks and they come up here and turn around and mess up my driveway and go back right back down the road that went on all day long and into the night," Jennings said.

Friday morning, help arrived as more than 50 National Guard soldiers came to help.

"We came across a house that had a very large tree sitting on top of it we've been out here the past hour hacking on it," Specialist Alvarez of the 180th engineering Company said.

The generous men and women are Jennings' new heroes.

"They are sweethearts," said Jennings. "Just as nice as they can be."

The feeling is mutual. "That Lovely young lady was certainly grateful," Specialist Alvarez said.

The help did not stop with Jennings. All day Friday, the soldiers tirelessly worked in homes to clear the damage and help homeowners anyway they could.

The soliders made all the difference for strangers in need, but they say, it is all in a day's work.

"It's why we join," said Alvarez. "To come out here and help people."


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