Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 North Dakota Guardsmen work side-by-side with civilian volunteers to save Fargo By Sgt. 1st Class David Dodds
                North Dakota National Guard
 FARGO, N.D. - The human sandbag chain in north Fargo today was evenly represented by civilian and military volunteers. North Dakota National Guard Airmen and Soldiers, in their traditional camouflaged uniforms, slugged thousands of 20-pound sacks of sand alongside an army of Fargo residents and out-of-towners resolved to save the El Zagel Shrine and Masonic Temple from floodwater from the rising Red River. It's a scene that's been played and replayed since the Guard sent in its first personnel more than a week ago to help fortify the city's last lines of defense against a catastrophic flood. Sgt. 1st Class Dan L. Olson, a Guard volunteer from the 957th Multi-role Bridge Company in Bismarck, N.D., said the civilian workforce was critical to the success of the mission. "The volunteers are really kicking butt; as long as we keep getting them out here helping us, we'll be fine," Olson said. Olson said that a crew of about 50 citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen worked well into the night Wednesday, before shutting down when it got too dark. Their mission was to raise an existing two-foot high sandbag levee another two feet after new projections from the National Weather Service said the Red River would likely crest higher than previously anticipated. Jim Savaloja, Leeds, N.D., a former Grand Master of the Masons of North Dakota and a civilian volunteer flood fighter, said the community is just as appreciative of the efforts of the Guard. "The Guard has just been fantastic through all of this," Savaloja said. "Most days out here it's about half and half, Guard personnel to civilians, and they do a great job working together side-by-side. New friendships are being made all the time out on that sandbagging line." Savaloja said the sandbag dike being installed between the El Zagel and the Red River may not be significant in size at only about 500 yards long, but it is critical piece of the city's flood protection system. He said a breach at that location not only would wipe out El Zagel and the Masonic Temple, but it also would send a torrent of water down 14th Avenue North, a down-sloping grade toward several north Fargo neighborhoods. Master Sgt. Robert Ramsett, who lives south of Horace, N.D., and is a member of the 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard, was one of the military personnel at the El Zagel site. He's become a veteran of weather and flood fights in recent years, having volunteered for recovery missions after ice storms in North Dakota, the Red River Valley flood of 1997, and Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. "I hope I don't have to be doing something again too soon," Ramsett said, with a smile. "At least, not for another three years." All of the volunteers, both military and civilian, have been treated to hot coffee and gourmet burgers, with all of the fixings, courtesy of the folks at the El Zagel. "We're feeling a bit guilty about it all, watching the volunteers do all that work for us," said Terry Dailey, who helps out at El Zagel. "We're just happy to be able to do our part and give back." Spc. Ryan M. Coghlan, Valley City, N.D., a member of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Bismarck, said he jumped at the chance to come to Fargo and help the community once he got the call to volunteer. "It feels pretty good working with the people getting out there and mixing it up with everyone working together," Coghlan said. "I signed up to do a lot of different stuff and this is one of them."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil