By ANGELA PRICE [email protected] | Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 6:45
am

WASHINGTON, Ill. — The Heroes for the Homeland team hit the road early Saturday morning, Nov. 30, with a convoy of four trucks and three trailers filled with supplies bound for Illinois tornado victims. Last minute donations included a moving truck from Penske of Baltimore and 17 pallets of supplies from the Gleaning for the World organization.
The cross-country drive took them through parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana before finally reaching Peoria Heights, Ill.
Sunday morning, the team unloaded more than $35,000 worth of donations, Justin Davis said. “We then went to the local fire department and police department and asked them which of their members needed assistance. We then hit the streets to assist with anything we could.”
He called the vast destruction “unreal,” adding, “There are no words to express what we’re seeing here.
“The devastation is even more then I could have ever imagined. It is heartbreaking seeing all the pictures and personal items laying everywhere and not knowing where to take them,” he said.
Also Sunday, the team visited and helped in Washington, Ill., another town struck by the powerful tornados.
The community they visited was similar to Cloverfields on Kent Island, Davis said, only it was in the direct path of a tornado that went for 49 miles.
Some buildings along the tornado’s path weren’t even touched; while neighboring buildings were demolished. For example, an Advanced Auto Parts store in Washington is totally gone with the debris in the parking lot of a neighboring Tractor Supply that is open and fine, he said.
Team members will remain in Illinois the rest of the week, helping however they can. They will head back Friday.
More photos from Illinois are available on our website, myeasternshoremd.com.

​
By ANGELA PRICE Special to the Record Observer | Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2011 12:00 am

GRASONVILLE A standing-room-only crowd packed The Jetty Sunday night, Sept. 11, for a memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and to honor those who lost their lives that day.
The American flag flew high, suspended from ladders atop Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department's Truck 2 and Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department's Tower 5. A bagpiper and drummer clad in kilts passed beneath the flag playing "Danny Boy" as they marched down the road and into The Jetty to open the service about 8 p.m.
After the flag presentation, the crowd took part in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Laurie Plemons sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Father Paul Jennings, pastor at St. Christopher's Catholic Church and chaplain for the sheriff's office and Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, offered an opening prayer.
Local volunteer Justin Davis has been organizing a memorial and doing fundraisers for survivors every year since the attacks.
"I would like everyone to take a minute to reflect on what they were doing on that fateful day, and the changes that have come to this country since the attacks," Davis said.
"We have all changed in many ways, but we have not changed in regard to the fear we shared as we watched the planes hit the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. Or when we saw the towers fall, then realizing all the lives that had just been lost brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Everything we believed about freedom was challenged in a matter of a few hours by an enemy trying to instill fear and destroy this country."
Davis has been a volunteer firefighter in Queen Anne's County for 21 years; he said fire fighting is a "brotherhood," and the brotherhood was devastated that day.
"You don't have to know them or have ever worked with them to feel the loss," he said.
Davis talked about his brother Allen, who fought in the Gulf War and who has served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He called for those gathered to pray for the brave men and women in the armed forces defending our freedom no matter the cost to themselves.
He spoke of the patriotism that swept the country shortly after 9/11, saying it seems to have faded with time. He called for its resurgence.
"The truth is that we don't know what is going to happen to our country in the days ahead. I am not a pessimist, but we know the terrorists have not given up. What we must do is keep supporting our troops, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS personnel, and stand up for what we believe and keep praying that God will bless and protect this great country," Davis said.
Joe Edwards, a firefighter with Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company of Centreville, read "The Fireman's Prayer." Capt. John Ryan of the Grasonville Volunteer Ambulance Department read the "EMS Prayer." Retired U.S. Army Col. Harry Ruzicka, who lost a leg serving in the Middle East in the U.S. war on terror, read "A Soldier's Prayer." 
Sgt. Morris "Sonny" Jones, representing the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office, read a piece he wrote for the service titled, "We Remember." Jones is also a volunteer firefighter.
"We remember the fear that gripped our very soul, the thought of war on our own soil, and the steadfast determination that we would overcome," Jones said.
"We remember words like patriotism, nation, and freedom. Our country bound together as one family, one voice that cried out for justice and wept in sadness."
He spoke of the numbers, like 9/11 and 343, that had no real meaning before that morning.
"We remember the countless faces that day. Covered in dust, tired and broken. Faces that inspired courage in all of us. Faces that spoke to us far beyond that which words ever could," Jones said.
He spoke of the aftermath, of unearthing the bodies and the determination not to leave anyone behind.
"Most of all, we remember the people, ordinary people that did extraordinary things that day. People who gave their own lives so that others may live. People that in the face of almost certain death said 'I will not fail in my mission. I will not leave you in harm's way. I will be there to help you, no matter what the cost,'" Jones said. "My fallen brothers and sisters, we remember you, and we will never, ever forget."
Author Mark Prachek, a retired paramedic/firefighter, offered a toast and a poem. Prachek also is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, who show their respect by escorting the bodies of servicemen home from Dover Air Force Base and attending their funerals.
Linda Haney of St. Christopher's offered a closing prayer. Bill Reem played "Taps," and the bagpiper and drummer played "Amazing Grace" to end the service.
Davis said the sale of commemorative T-shirts prior to the service and donations made during the service raised $390 for the Families of Sept. 11. He added $110 to make it an even $500 donation to the nonprofit organization.
T-shirts are still available at a cost of $20; $5 from each sale goes to the charity.
Sgt. Morris "Sonny" Jones of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office reads a piece he wrote for ​9/11 Memorial Service entitled "We Remember." Jones is also a firefighter.

By ANGELA PRICE Special from the Bay Times
STEVENSVILLE — Two Eastern Shore firefighters are members of Heroes for the Homeland disaster relief organization and will spend a week assisting with tornado clean up efforts in Illinois at the end of this month.
At least 16 tornadoes struck Illinois and northwest Indiana on Nov. 17, killing six people, injuring dozens of others and damaging or destroying fourteen hundred houses.
Blaine Slacum of Bay City, a firefighter in Anne Arundel County, and Justin Davis, a life member of the Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department, have been working with local businesses to establish sites for residents to drop off donations to help those devastated by the recent disaster.
Heroes for the Homeland, a 501c3 nonprofit, is made up of law enforcement and emergency services personnel and prioritizes helping the families of first responders who are affected by the disaster so the local emergency workers can focus on helping the community.
“As first responders, they are out there taking care of everybody else,” Slacum said. “So, we want to take care of first responders families, so they don’t have to worry.”
However, the group’s assistance is not limited to those families. They try to help anyone who has been affected, Davis said.
Members also work in the clean up for the disaster-struck communities.
The organization got its start after Hurricane Sandy; it was founded by Chris Johnson, a Prince George’s County Police detective. Slacum and Davis got to know one another while volunteering with Sandy relief efforts in Crisfield.
A team of a dozen or more volunteers, including Slacum and Davis, will leave for Illinois on Nov. 30 with trailers filled with supplies. Donations are coming from all around the region. One church in Lynchburg, Va., has collected a large pallet of ladders and dog food, Davis said.
“The biggest need right now is money,” Slacum said. Cash and gift cards for food and gas rank high on the needs list. Monetary donations will help cover both the costs of the trip — estimated at more than $3,000 — and provide additional supplies to those who need them.
Donations needed include: monetary donations/gift cards; work gloves; dust masks; hand warmers; cleaning supplies; personal hygiene items; first aid supplies; baby supplies (diapers, wipes); tools, such as rakes and shovels; chainsaws and other power tools; lights; trash bags; unexpired non-perishable foods; new black work boots; and storage bins.
Drop off locations on the Shore include: A-Shore Out Bail Bonds, 100 N. Liberty St.,
Centreville; Western Tire & Auto, 1406 Main St., Chester; Crossbones Tattoo & Body Piercing, 305 Saddler Road, Grasonville; and Best Western Plus Easton Inn & Suites, 8708 Alicia Dr., Easton.
The deadline to drop of donations is Nov. 29.
Davis said anyone who would like to donate but who can’t get to one of the drop off locations can call him at 410-829-2821 and he will come pick it up.
Heroes for the Homeland has partnered with Wives Behind the Badge, an organization of wives of law enforcement officers, for the Illinois effort. Wives Behind the Badge has arranged for a house to be donated where volunteers can stay while they are assisting in the clean up.
Eventually the organization would like to get enough supplies built up “that we can drop wheels and go” whenever there’s a disaster without having to wait to collect supplies, Slacum said. Heroes for the Homeland lists its mission: to assist men, women and children in American communities affected by disaster by providing essential supplies and cleanup assistance during recovery efforts. The organization’s vision is to “foster the American spirit of citizens helping
one another in times of hardship; and work to ensure that no American is alone when disaster strikes.”

By ANGELA PRICE [email protected] | Posted: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 8:00am

Two local firefighters are members of Heroes for the Homeland disaster relief organization and will spend a week assisting with tornado clean up efforts in Illinois at the end of this month. At least 16 tornadoes struck Illinois and northwest Indiana on Nov. 17, killing six people, injuring dozens of others and damaging or destroying fourteen hundred houses.
Blaine Slacum of Bay City, a firefighter in Anne Arundel County, and Justin Davis, a life member of the Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department, have been working with local businesses to establish sites for residents to drop off donations to help those devastated by the recent disaster.
Heroes for the Homeland, a 501c3 nonprofit, is made up of law enforcement and emergency services personnel and prioritizes helping the families of first responders who are affected by the disaster so the local emergency workers can focus on helping the community.
“As first responders, they are out there taking care of everybody else,” Slacum said. “So, we want to take care of first responders families, so they don’t have to worry.”
However, the group’s assistance is not limited to those families. They try to help anyone who has been affected, Davis said.
Members also work in the clean up for the disaster-struck communities.
The organization got its start after Hurricane Sandy; it was founded by Chris Johnson, a Prince George’s County Police detective. Slacum and Davis got to know one another while volunteering with Sandy relief efforts in Crisfield.
A team of a dozen or more volunteers, including Slacum and Davis, will leave for Illinois on Nov. 30 with trailers filled with supplies. Donations are coming from all around the region. One church in Lynchburg, Va., has collected a large pallet of ladders and dog food, Davis said.
“The biggest need right now is money,” Slacum said. Cash and gift cards for food and gas rank high on the needs list. Monetary donations will help cover both the costs of the trip — estimated at more than $3,000 — and provide additional supplies to those who need them. Donations needed include: monetary donations/gift cards; work gloves; dust masks; hand warmers; cleaning supplies; personal hygiene items; first aid supplies; baby supplies (diapers, wipes); tools, such as rakes and shovels; chainsaws and other power tools; lights; trash bags; unexpired nonperishable
foods; new black work boots; and storage bins.
Drop off locations on the Shore include: A-Shore Out Bail Bonds, 100 N. Liberty St., Centreville; Western Tire & Auto, 1406 Main St., Chester; Crossbones Tattoo & Body Piercing, 305 Saddler Road, Grasonville; and Best Western Plus Easton Inn & Suites, 8708 Alicia Dr., Easton.
The deadline to drop of donations is Nov. 29.
Davis said anyone who would like to donate but who can’t get to one of the drop off locations can call him at 410-829-2821 and he will come pick it up.
Heroes for the Homeland has partnered with Wives Behind the Badge, an organization of wives of law enforcement officers, for the Illinois effort. Wives Behind the Badge has arranged for a house to be donated where volunteers can stay while they are assisting in the clean up. Eventually the organization would like to get enough supplies built up “that we can drop wheels and go” whenever there’s a disaster without having to wait to collect supplies, Slacum said.
Heroes for the Homeland lists its mission: to assist men, women and children in American communities affected by disaster by providing essential supplies and cleanup assistance during recovery efforts. The organization’s vision is to “foster the American spirit of citizens helping one another in times of hardship; and work to ensure that no American is alone when disaster strikes.”