Base and community come together to aid reservist and his family

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Russell
  • 445th Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  When a person's sense of security and comfort becomes altered by life's unexpected events, a timeless cliché can come to mind- the only constant in life is change and a crisis can lead to enriched character and advancement.

Recently, Tech. Sgt. Greg Shepherd, 445th Airlift Wing Security Forces Squadron, was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While he was away defending our nation from hostile enemy regimes, the lives of his expectant wife, Karen, his two-year old daughter Angel, and his parents Ross and Gerelene Draper, were jeopardized by what was said to be an electrical house fire that took place May 18 around 2 a.m.

Chief Master Sergeant Peri Rogowski, 445th Airlift Wing command chief, said the entire house and all of their belongings inside were mere ashes and unrecognizable remnants of possessions they once found comfort and security in. There were only enough salvageable items to fill a gym bag.

Anyone who has experienced this type of loss can relate to feelings of despair and frustration.

Sergeant Shepherd said he was nervous about the circumstances he faced on the flight back home. "Once I got off the plane and saw everyone, I knew it would be alright," he stated.

He was greeted with American flags and salutes by a crowd of military members and civilians alike. "It was overwhelming to have complete strangers say, 'sorry about your house and thank you for your service,'" he said.

Chief Rogowski said the base and surrounding community pulled together to provide donations to meet the entire family's needs and show support. Members of the Air Force Reserve were also compelled to come together to show humanity and what it means to be a great wingman; proving that being a member of the reserves is like having a vast extended family.

"This is an amazing base and community effort. I think everyone is just blown away," Chief Rogowski said. "The cohesiveness of 'Team Wright-Patt' has been demonstrated significantly!"

In response to the base effort, she said to Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th Airlift Wing commander, "Master Sgt. John Koehl, SFS first sergeant, Maj. Sharon Dondlinger, SFS commander, and the entire security forces squadron along with Senior Master Sgt. Julie Haskell, services flight, have done an amazing job of taking care of our Airman and his family."

Fellow wingmen of all ranks came together, along with the community. The family has been provided lodging, clothing, household goods/furniture, and donations to help this service member and his family through this transition.

"I can't keep up with the amount of household goods, furniture and clothing; there's too much pouring in," Chief Rogowski said.

"I never envisioned this kind of support," Major Dondlinger said. "It's absolutely amazing!"
Sergeant Shepherd and his family's support of our nation during wartime show great strength in character. The service members at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and members of the community have enhanced their character by helping his family through this crisis.

Sergeant Shepherd is truly grateful and humbled by all of the support he and his family have received. "I never thought that my house burning down would turn out to be a blessing," he said. "I would like to thank everyone personally although that would be nearly impossible because of the enormous amount of support received," he added.

The truism, the only thing constant in life is change can often be followed by this; crisis is incubation for enriched character and advancement.