Dear General Sanders.

Dear General Sanders,

I am a Sergeant with the City of Gastonia Police Department Gastonia N.C. I would like to take a moment of your time to inform you of the outstanding service two of your officers rendered to my unit as we delivered supplies to the St. Bernard Parrish on 9/4/05. Our Department rushed to put a relief package together to assist a Capt. Jimmy Bartholomew of the St. Bernard Parrish Sheriffs Office. We drove virtually around the clock to reach our forward contact only to find ourselves sitting idle on I-10 in downtown New Orleans. Every attempt we made to get assistance from local authorities and FEMA we were told we could not make the delivery. I had just informed My Chief by phone that we were at a stand still. Two Nat'l Guard Majors approached us and asked if they could be of service. Major. Don R Matherine and Major Joe Woll. I explained our situation. They quickly took us to a group of Louisiana Wildlife Conservation Officers. They led us safely through New Orleans to the St. Bernard Parrish. Their service did not stop there. They assisted us in locating our contact Capt. Jimmy Bartholomew before helping us unload our tractor trailer mostly by hand. Both officers exhibited extraordinary concern and attention to our unit. I video taped the ordeal and they even stopped along the way handing water to refugees along the way. These Majors then led us back through New Orleans. They offered assistance to our Departments next mission to the area. It would take me pages to fully explain the extent to which they assisted us. They should be commended for their untiring efforts. These two officers were an answer to prayer and have truly made a difference in a lot of lives. As I know you are very busy 1 would appreciate it if you could forward a mailing address for yourself and Colonel Greene, as our Chief T.L. Sult would like to send a personal thank you.

(Editors note: This letter was written to Brig. Gen. Maynard 'Sandy" Sanders, in appreciation of the great work of two Army Reservists from the the 1192nd TTB.)

Sincerely,

Sergeant Jamin L. Brackett

City of Gastonia Police Department

Gastonia N.C. 28052

(Reply from Brig. Gen. Sanders:)

Thank you SGT Brackett for all your efforts and ESPECIALLY taking the time to tell of the unselfish deeds of Joe Woll and Don Matherne. They as well as all of yall from NC are heroes. Thanks again ... Patti Beilling, our PAO, may followup with an email. She's looking for some good human interest stories and this certainly is one. Thanks and when we meet, you gotta cold one on me. Sandy Sanders.