07/21/2025
Wade Thomas Pebworth
To be given the opportunity to help others is the most rewarding experience we can have. To work with others with the same mission is even better. Our handlers and flankers spent the past week searching in Central Texas with other dedicated handlers and volunteers to help locate the victims of the floods. They all came together to help bring closure to families and friends of the missing.
Thank you to the Incident Commander for the City of Hunt, Jeff Broaddus, and the Hunt Volunteer Fire Department for requesting our services and to Chris Drury for recommending us; thank you to Aerial Recovery for supporting the team on the ground; thank you to the members of The Cross Church for their spiritual and monetary support of this mission; to Penelope Herring for doing an exceptional job leading our dedicated and selfless team on the ground - Buddy Perdue, Beth Hudson, Angie Cox, Matthew Herring, Spencer Pearson, Brandon McVean, Chris Arnold, Jason Stridiron, Kerry Wooley, Kim Futch, Micky Blain, Shiela Posey and Stefanie Ritz. Thanks also for the Wade Pebworth and his construction crew who accompanied our team as they searched and worked hard every step of the way. Most of all, thank you to the community in the area, especially Hunt Elementary School and the Boy Scout Camp. They all surrounded and supported our team with every possible need they had - Food, Lodging, transportation. When the team got separated on Monday due to more flooding, with some not being able to get back to the camp where they were sleeping, volunteers with the school rallied together to set up beds and accommodations for the team, giving them a place to shower and rest.
The kindness and generosity of this community can never be overstated. And, while the reason for being there was tragic, our team is grateful for the opportunity to serve.