Virginia National Guard soldiers from the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team assist Bedford Fire & Rescue personnel with water and ice distribution July 2 at Bedford Elementary School. The Virginia National Guard has more than 200 soldiers on state active duty staged and ready in Fredericksburg and Lexington to assist with recovery operations from severe storms and excessive heat that have plagued Virginia since June 29.