Tennessee Sons, Riders recognized for efforts during Helene flooding

Caleb Jenacaro and Patrick McLaughlin were honored at the department’s Mid-Winter Conference for their work in swift water rescues last fall.

Two Detachment of Tennessee Sons of The American Legion were honored at the department’s Mid-Winter Conference for their efforts in helping during flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.

Caleb Jenacaro is chaplain for the Detachment of Tennessee, a member of Squadron 21 and American Legion Riders Chapter 21 in Rogersville, Tenn., and the 1^st District Riders chairman. Patrick McLaughlin is a member of Squadron 21 and Chapter 21 as well.

Jenacaro and the Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Department, and McLaughlin and his Cocke County Swift Water Rescue Team, participated in 183 swift water rescues in the county during Helene’s flooding.

“During this time Parrotsville even lost one of their apparatuses when their brush truck was engulfed by the rushing waters of the flood. When this happened it was Caleb who had to go get the firefighters. The actions of Parrottsville and Caleb Jenacaro greatly contributed to the fact that Cocke County only lost two residents to drowning through the entire disaster,” the department noted.

“Countless residents were pulled from the rushing waters, to include nine people trapped standing on the hood of a car,” the department added. “Even though firefighters are trained to perform swift water rescues, nobody was prepared for the devastation that hit the town of Newport, and all of Cocke County. It was only the determination of the first responders that prevented further loss of life. For Patrick, Hurricane Helene was a horrible initiation to the Swift Water Rescue Team, having only completed the training one month prior, and joining the team two weeks prior to the hurricane.”