THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505270214
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
Disasters, especially man-made ones, create both victims and villains.
They also create heroes.
Some of the many rescuers who journeyed to Oklahoma City after the Federal Building there was bombed April 19 came from Chesapeake, Franklin, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and the Naval Bases in Norfolk and Little Creek. Weeks later, the community is still saying ``thank you'' to those who went to do the impossible in the wake of the unthinkable.
While grateful for the generosity being showered upon them, some members of the local Federal Emergency Management Agency team are a tad uncomfortable with their celebrity status, most notably out of concern for those who serve with them but did not go.
About 30 members of the Tidewater Regional Technical Rescue Team that went to Oklahoma City and their guests attended a reception hosted by Phillips Waterside in Norfolk last Thursday. Earlier in the day they had been honored by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf. At the reception, several of the team members talked about their reaction to what has greeted them since their return.
``(The Oklahoma City bombing) is not something you want to go to,'' said Jim Torrey, a heavy equipment and rigging specialist. ``We're trained in earthquakes and natural disasters. We went out there to do our job. Everything we've gotten since coming back we didn't expect.
``It's a healing process for the rest of the country. We never expected it; it's not something we look for.''
Chase Sargent, a battalion chief with the Virginia Beach Fire Department, is in charge of the local team that went to Oklahoma City. For several nights the charred remains of the bombed-out building were ``his'' building. He didn't get much sleep those nights. Team members were working 14-hour shifts.
He's still getting mail from victims of the disaster. The day of the reception he got a letter from a young woman who lost her husband and two small children. The letters, he said, ``tear me up.''
Although only 56 members went to Oklahoma City, he explained, the team is staffed ``three deep.'' The full team includes 162 members. Those who stayed behind supported those who went. On a different day, they would have gone instead of those who did. It pains Sargent - and many others who made the trip - that those who didn't go are not receiving the recognition being accorded those who did.
``We're a team,'' he said. ``We live and die as a team. It's killing us to leave those hundred behind.''
Added Torrey: ``The background people need to be recognized. The next time going out, it could be one of them and not one of us.''
Dennis Byler Clark of Virginia Beach is a structural engineer. He designed supports used to shore up the sagging building so rescue workers could go through it. Torrey said those supports were so sturdy that 48 pounds of extra explosives were needed last week when officials razed the remaining portion of the bombed out structure in Oklahoma City.
``It's a little bit overwhelming sometimes,'' said Clark, explaining his reaction to the welcome he and other team members have received since coming home. ``I didn't expect it.''
Two teams from Virginia went to Oklahoma City. Fairfax County also sent one.
Gov. George Allen hosted a reception and barbecue for the members of both teams. There were three large cakes, each decorated with a map of Virginia and the inscription, ``All of Virginia Thanks You.''
Fred Broccolo, a rescue specialist from Norfolk, shares his comrades' feelings.
``I haven't been able to understand it. Most of us are professional firefighters,'' he said.
``We deal with death all the time. It's overwhelming, to say the least.''
Broccolo explained there's more fanfare to come. They've been invited to a senior staff meeting for the City of Norfolk, a meeting with a congressional delegation, and a third gathering with senior citizens. He's not clear on the details; it's almost too much to keep track of.
Sargent explained that there have already been numerous speaking engagements: schools, Rotary Clubs, professional organizations. It's not over yet.
The Phillips Waterside reception opened with the Norfolk Academy Madrigals singing ``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' An honor guard presented the colors. Patty Elam of Main Street Salon stopped by to offer free haircuts to members of the team. Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim came to present a plaque, accepted by Sargent on behalf of the team.
Pomp and circumstance. And honors.
Leaving most team members at a loss to understand what all the fuss is about.
They should listen to their wives.
Several wives joined in the conversations about their husband's exploits. They didn't call them ``heroes.'' But their tone of voice, their choice of words, their stance, the look in their eyes, said it all. They understand the contributions each team member made, and why the community keeps reminding them of it. And saying ``thank you.''
Virginia Beach Fire Chief Harry Diezel praised Sargent, the team members, and those who stayed behind.
``Those who got this team ready,'' he said, ``deserve an enormous pat on the back. They worked their butts off.'' ILLUSTRATION: Chase Sargent, a battalion chief with the Beach Fire Department,
accepts a plaque from Mimi Burns of Phillips Waterside, on behalf of
other members of the the Hampton Roads FEMA team. Norfolk Mayor Paul
Fraim, right, also presented a plaque to Sargent.
Photos by
DAWSON MILLS
by CNB