By: John Strickler, jstrickler@pottsmerc.com
05/23/2007
Gracie Johnson swings on her new swing set with her dad, Sgt. James Johnson.
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Gordon Whitlock answered his cell phone at the work site for the House for Heroes Tuesday afternoon and received the news he had waited to hear.
A smile shone on Whitlock's face as he hollered across the construction areas for all to hear: "The trucks are on the road!"
A cheer from the students rang out, relieved to know they will have time to set the modular units onto the foundations later this week.
Whitlock, who volunteers at the Western Center for Technical Studies in Limerick, had monitored the situation since Friday and called on some reliable people to lend a hand with trailer repairs Tuesday morning to be sure the trucks could continue on their way.
"Lafayette Welding sent two welders and Haines & Kibblehouse had two mechanics on the scene working with a Pennsylvania State Police inspector fixing everything to got the trucks moving," Whitlock said.
Construction teacher Steve Toroney added, "My hat's off to Jack Mellon of Lafayette Welding and the guys from Haines & Kibblehouse. They have always come through for us."
The "hero" the project is named for is James Johnson, a Louisiana National Guardsman who suffered severe injuries in Iraq in 2005 only to come home and have his home destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
In true community spirit, students from BARDE High School in Lake Charles, La., and Western Center students worked together toward a common goal. The kids teamed up, getting a chance to pitch in digging trenches for electric lines and a well.
They also helped with the cement pad that was poured, and the Barde girls built walls for the new shed with help from WCTS construction guys.
"We just wanted to show our appreciation to Mr. Johnson for all the hard work he did for his country and our community," Barbe student Dacia Odom said.
She added, "Once we started working together for the cause it went really good. I'm shoveling and digging a trench for the pipes."
An overcast and steamy day gave the Pennsylvania students a chance to experience the Louisiana humidity. Teachers kept a steady flow of bottled water coming as the students worked hard all day.
"It doesn't get any better than this - watching two schools 1,400 miles apart working toward a common goal," Whitlock said. "When we pulled onto the property, and seeing the outpouring from the Louisiana National Guard, I wouldn't miss this for anything."
The Louisiana National Guard 3rd Battalion assembled a playground set for 7-year-old Gracie Johnson. When she arrived after her school lessons she headed straight for the set and was happily swinging, watching all the commotion around her.
Her dad also got his chance and hopped on one swinging next to her.
Erin Robicheaux, the public affairs officers for Louisiana National Guard's 3rd Battalion, said, "I was in Iraq with James and remember when his Bradley was hit by the IED. This Louisiana National Guard is a close family, and when it happens to one of your own, it is devastating.
"We went through two hurricanes and so many soldiers lost their homes. Watching students from Pennsylvania who have no ties to the Louisiana Guard, and for them to do this for James and his family, touches my heart," she said.
"For James, it's about these kids from Pennsylvania and knowing that his wife and daughter are being taken care of," she said.
Once the cement pads were completed, Gracie Johnson put her handprints in the wet cement and signed her name.
James Johnson asked the 47 students from both schools to sign their initials for posterity.
Western Center's Shawn Branagh, an HVAC student, said, "The people here are amazing. Everyone is thrilled to hear the House for Heroes is moving and looking forward to getting it here."
Looking around at all the volunteers helping out on site, Toroney summed it up best, saying, "We kept our chins up and today is one of my greatest days in teaching. Friends helping friends. The kids came together and formed a union working with our kids. It's just unbelievable. I'm holding back tears."
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