ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD STARTS DAY TWO ASSISTING ILLINOISIANS
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More than 500 Illinois National Guard members were activated on Feb. 1 to assist motorists stuck in the snow
More than 500 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen responded to Gov. Pat Quinn's emergency declaration on Feb. 1, as the country's oldest military organization was mobilized to help stranded motorists.
Early estimates <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT265">Tuesday</span> evening indicated more than 50 motorists were assisted, but Illinois National Guard and Illinois Emergency Management Agency officials said those numbers are extremely low because not all of the assistance is being documented due to the nature of the mission.
"Our main goal is to assist civil authorities helping motorists and those in need, said Maj. Brad Leighton of Sherman, Director of the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office. "Our mission is to protect and serve our fellow Illinoisans. The Illinois National Guard will continue to project a positive emergency response effort, demonstrating that we are a ready and responsive force to protect the citizens and fulfill a no-fail contract to the state of Illinois."
The servicemembers were at more than 20 rest areas from Interstate 70 near St. Louis north to Chicago. The troops were also doing roving patrols across the interstate assisting motorists in need. The servicemembers were equipped with supplies such as water and snack bars. They also relayed information on road conditions, vehicle accidents and stranded motorists to Illinois State Police officers working in the area.
"I have been stationed at the rest stop and tracking the movement of our roving vehicles that are patrolling Interstate 55 for stranded motorists," said Staff Sgt. David Meyer of Springfield, a member of the Illinois National Guard's 3637th Maintenance Company based in Springfield. "I am comfortable driving in conditions like this since I grew up here and am used to the snow."
Meyer was called to state active duty during the 2008 Mississippi flooding, but this is the first time he has been activated to respond to a winter storm in Illinois. Meyer suggested motorists stay off the roads if at all possible because the conditions are potentially life threatening.
The Illinois National Guard activated more than 1,600 Soldiers and Airmen for the 2008 floods. The last snow storm that needed the assistance of the Illinois National Guard was the <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT266">December 2006</span> winter storm, which required approximately 250 servicemembers to assist local officials checking in on residents around the Decatur area.
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