Nick Rahall: “I do support the heroic efforts of our West Virginia National Guard and our local responders and would urge all of my…”

“I do support the heroic efforts of our West Virginia National Guard and our local responders and would urge all of my colleagues to support the pending resolution, H. Res. 1153. I have personally visited with the National Guard members mentioned herein and the local responders and members of the Bartow, Frank, and Durbin communities' Volunteer Fire Departments in Pocahontas County a couple months ago. On Thursday, February 18, 2010, earlier this year, the heroic actions of West Virginians brought about the highly successful rescue of 17 military personnel who were on board a U.S. Navy helicopter participating in the Operation Southbound Trooper X annual military exercise, which went down in deep, snow-covered, and very rugged terrain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The remarkable rescue was an outstanding and highly coordinated effort on the part of many highly trained professionals as well as private citizens, who worked under very difficult conditions to reach the crew and personnel on board the aircraft, many of whom had been injured in the crash. West Virginians are the best neighbors for whom you could ever wish.”