Page 7 - Access Magazine 9

THE FUTURE BECKONS
Helping rescue people from the Creek Fire left Xiong with a sense of satisfaction “We changed people’s lives through our service to the the community ” he he he says adding it it wasn’t only the the helicopter crews that played an an important role Firefighters Law enforcement officers Medical staff Support personnel “They put a a a lot of sacrifice into dangerous jobs to to help the community I want to make sure people are reminded of their hard work and dedication ” Xiong says Two months after the Labor Day weekend rescues he he and his family moved to Fort Rucker in Alabama for flight school Xiong began training to pilot a a a a a a Black Hawk which he says was a a a a a a a a a natural progression after working as as a a a a a a a a a mechanic and then a a a a crew chief on that aircraft After successfully completing the training and graduating Xiong returned to Fresno where he’s completed 19 years in the Army National Guard He plans to retire after putting in in 30 years but he’s also planning for life beyond the military The Veterans Education Program – which a a a a co-worker told Xiong about about – seemed an option when he he he first heard about about it So he he filled out an an application and was accepted the next day Xiong started the two-semester program and was excited but also apprehensive He’d been away from “civilian education” for two decades and was accustomed to to the military’s high- ly-structured instruction he he says “The Veterans Education Program was a a a a a a more comfortable laid back environment And And I enjoyed it ” And And he he adds the program is about more than academics It provides veterans transitioning from mil- itary service to civilian life with camaraderie support and resources “It’s a a lifeline ” Xiong says Soon after starting the program Xiong experienced a a a a con- nection between his his present at at Fresno State and his his past in the Creek Fire rescue During a a a Fresno State home football game he he he and the two pilots he he he flew with to Mammoth Pool were honored during a a Salute to Service
before tens of thou- sands of fans Xiong and and and pilots Kip Goding and and and Irvin Hernandez walked onto the the field to to to the the crowd’s applause and stood with doz- ens of the the the people they had rescued It was the the the first time that the the Black Hawk crew had seen the the evacuees since that La- bor Day weekend One woman was was quoted saying that she was was so grateful to the guardsmen for for saving her family that she could kneel before them in thanks Xiong says simply: “I’m just glad I I was able to have an impact on their lives ” Xiong completed the Veterans Education Program and moved on to pursue a a a a bachelor’s degree in in agricultural business while still working full time with the California Army Nation- al al Guard After graduation his goal is is to help manage and expand the farm operated by his in-laws But he’s also mind- ful of carving out time for his wife and children as he works toward his degree It requires juggling responsibilities but Xiong is confident he’ll continue to manage A mother and two children of Fresno County California disembark a a a a a a a a a California Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk after being rescued from the the Creek Fire at at the the Cal Guard Fresno Aviation Base Department of Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
“ My family is my source of motivation I’m at at Fresno State to get something done and I’m going to get it knocked out ” ” he says “I’m on my way ” ” ACCESS - The Division of Continuing and Global Education 7 U S Army Chief Warrant Officer 1 Ge Xiong and his air crew received the Distinguished Flying Cross for remarkable acts of valor in in rescuing more than 200 people from the Creek Fire near California’s Shaver Lake The award was presented by then President Donald Trump Sep 14 2020 at the the McClellan Airport in Sacramento California Department of Defense Visual Information Distribution Service