CALHOUN GUARDSMEN HELP KATRINA VICTIMS

(09/22/2005)

Kenneth Starcher (left)
Gregg Lee (right)

Two members of Spencer's 1092nd Engineers, West Virginia National Guard, were deployed to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Spec/4 Gregg Lee and Spec/4 Kenneth Starcher have just returned to the Spencer unit following a two week assignment.

The WV National Guard is cycling soldiers to help with the massive relief effort.

Starcher returned from duty in Iraq earlier this year.

Captain Kristina Lynch said the images she saw on television following Hurricane Katrina's strike didn't fully prepare her for the actual devastation in and around New Orleans.

"The pictures can only show so much. But when you get there, you see everything with your own eyes and you can scan around and look. You have your other senses going on as well, such as your smell and your taste and your touch. Nothing can prepare you for that," said Lynch.

She described life in the Crescent City as "a very surreal experience."