Lt. Benjamin Deuel of the Salvation Army of Greenwood is heading toward tornado-ravaged Oklahoma to lend a hand and more than a few prayers for those struggling to rebuild their lives.
“I’m being deployed as an emotional and spiritual care officer,” Deuel, the commanding officer of the Greenwood unit, said this morning.
Deuel and his wife, Lt. Wendy Deuel, serve as co-officers in Greenwood.
Deuel will be in Oklahoma for two weeks. His wife will remain in Greenwood.
Deuel said Salvation Army officers from each of the army’s divisions are mobilizing in response to a number of Oklahoma tornadoes earlier this week. One of those tornadoes, which created more than a mile-wide path of destruction in Moore, claimed 24 lives.
Deuel said officers from Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi divisions are part of the first wave to go into Oklahoma.
Once in Oklahoma City, Deuel said, the officers will be sent to areas of need. “We may be going to Moore. We may be going to Shawnee.”
Although the assignment might be different, Deuel has done this kind of work before.
About a year ago, he was deployed to central and northern Alabama and worked for about a week assisting tornado victims with emotional and spiritual needs as well as providing food assistance.
Already Salvation Army mobile kitchens are in place in Oklahoma, Deuel said.
Deuel said while he will only be in Oklahoma for two weeks, the Salvation Army’s presence there will continue for a while.
“The Salvation Army will be there much longer,” he said.
nContact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
