THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 5, 1995 TAG: 9505050004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
The FEMA Virginia Task Force 2 is thankful for Hampton Roads citizens' support and encouragement during our deployment to Oklahoma City. We are especially grateful to those team members who stayed behind and received little recognition. Virginia Task Force 2 accomplished its mission because of such support.
As Americans, we all felt the tragedy of the Oklahoma City bombing. Yet, in the worst of times Americans responded to the need.
Oklahoma City will never forget the many Americans who came to their aid. Virginians were a part of that aid, especially Hampton Roads because of Virginia Task Force 2.
We say ``Hampton Roads'' because the team is drawn from these jurisdictions: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Franklin, Portsmouth, Norfolk Naval Base Fire Department, Little Creek Naval Base Fire Department, Department of Emergency Services/State of Virginia, Emergency Physicians of Tidewater and various other civilian components.
Virginia Task Force 2 was proud to represent Hampton Roads. We know we could not have done it without the support of the folks back home. They were the wind beneath our wings. Oklahoma and Oklahoma City will always remember the spirit of Virginia and those who helped in their time of need.
MELVEN R. MATHIAS, district chief
Virginia Beach Fire Department
Task force leader
Virginia Task Force 2
Virginia Beach, May 1, 1995 by CNB