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Locals head north to floodwaters
Red Wing, MN
Republican Eagle
Link to Original Article
By Mike Longaecker
Published Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hager City resident Davis Peterson
didn't yet know what awaited him in the Fargo-Moorhead area,
but he knew why he was going.
"These people are in need, so I feel
if I'm available, I can go help them," the 14-year-old said.
Peterson was one of seven Red Wing
Civil Air Patrol members headed north by van Tuesday in
hopes of helping stem rising floodwaters in the
Fargo-Moorhead area.
Civil Air Patrol members David Nelson
and Davis Peterson go over departure details Tuesday before
leaving for the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Red Wing squadron
will either aid in sandbagging efforts or traffic control,
officials said. RELATED CONTENT PHOTO: Air patrol Band
headed to Fargo Article comments (3) Mike Longaecker Archive
The group was expected to arrive in
the Red River Valley region early today, joining more than
100 other Civil Air Patrol members from Minnesota and North
Dakota.
First Lt. Mike Mimbach is leading the
Red Wing squadron. Mimbach, of Hastings, said the squadron
will help with sandbagging and traffic control — duties they
have been trained in.
Mimbach said it was not clear yet when
the squadron would return home.
For Red Wing resident David Nelson,
the mission will be a first, but not his first emergency
assignment. Like several of his counterparts in the Red Wing
squadron, the 10th-grader has been on search and rescue
missions and exercises.
Nelson said his Red Wing High School
teachers encouraged his participation in the latest mission.
"They are pretty excited about me and
other students going to help out," he said.
With the school's third quarter
wrapping up, Nelson said missed classes won't be much of an
issue.
"It's very good timing for a disaster
happening," he said
Ellsworth resident Kathy Huppert
watched as her daughter Whitney, a Civil Air Patrol member
since age 12, helped load the van. The elder Huppert did not
hesitate when asked how she felt of her daughter's efforts.
"Extremely proud," she said.
The Civil Air Patrol — a program
funded by the U.S. Air Force — provides emergency services
through a combination of adults and youth. The patrol also
offers cadet programs and aerospace education.
Civil Air Patrol members David
Nelson and Davis Peterson go over departure details Tuesday
before leaving for the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Red Wing
squadron will either aid in sandbagging efforts or traffic
control, officials said.
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