Hurricane Florence, a devastating category-2 hurricane, struck the coast of North Carolina just south of Swansboro, where our unit is based.
The storm brought record-breaking flooding that threatened nearby communities, and the powerful 137 mph winds caused extensive damage, sending debris everywhere and blocking major roads. Homes and businesses were torn apart, and Hurricane Florence lingered in our area for two days, covering the entire state with relentless storms. Thousands of people were trapped by floodwaters and downed trees, leaving them without water, electricity, or food. Tragically, many lost their homes.
After the storm, my family and I couldn’t return home for five days. When we finally did, we immediately started helping our community. On the first day back, we raked leaves and sticks from neighbors’ yards and cleared debris from several homes. We also helped an elderly neighbor by removing a fallen tree from their house, hauling branches and logs to the curb.
One of the places severely damaged was our local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall, a crucial meeting place for retired military personnel and where the Swansboro Young Marines hold drill meetings. The VFW property was littered with downed trees, broken branches, and fallen leaves. Within days of the storm, many Young Marines and staff members joined forces to clean up. Through teamwork and determination, we restored the VFW grounds, and the VFW members were deeply grateful for our efforts.
Our Young Marines also assisted our local fire department in serving meals after the storm. The fire department provided free hot meals to those in need, and they always needed volunteers. One of our staff members reached out to them, and several Young Marines, including myself, helped distribute meals. We returned day after day, handing out so many meals that we sometimes ran out before the next shipment arrived. Our unit’s volunteer work had a significant positive impact on our community.
Community service is something we should all engage in regularly. Volunteering at schools, nursing homes, churches, or other organizations is an easy way to contribute. We don’t have to wait for a natural disaster or an urgent call for volunteers to do our part. By starting now and donating our time within our neighborhoods, we demonstrate what it means to be a Young Marine and show how Young Marines actively support their communities.