When the Florida National Guard was called in to assist with the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton in the beginning of October, it had been only about two weeks since they’d finished helping with Hurricane Helene. About 3,600 Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen, including Emergency Management Assistance Compact units, came back to assist in response operations all across Florida.
Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG) soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team was one of the units that distributed food, water, ice, and hurricane kits to locals impacted by Hurricane Milton at a distribution point near Venice Community Center.
Before they left to go assist other communities, BrewBurger’s BackPorch had the privilege of feeding more than 100 Florida National Guard soldiers to thank them for their service. “We had the honor of recharging Florida's own National Guard with a much-deserved dinner! We wanted to show them our appreciation with all their help during this very trying time in our community,” said BrewBurgers BackPorch owner Michael Bacon.
Overall, Florida National Guard operations across the state assisted in the rescue of 600 people and 71 animals and cleared 2,642 miles of road and 5,989 cubic yards of debris. Plus they distributed 1,305,972 MREs (meals ready to eat), 1,581,120 water boxes, 88,353 tarps, and 59,914 bags of ice.