During Hurricane Helene, two young National Guardsmen, Brandon Moore and Ethan Ward, faced a nightmare no training could prepare them for. While helping evacuate a hospital, their military vehicle was swallowed by raging floodwaters and flipped upside down. Against the odds, they clawed their way out to safety.
As they surfaced, a terrifying sight met their eyes: six people were being dragged downstream, struggling and seconds from drowning.
Exhausted, soaked, and with no formal water-rescue training, Moore and Ward didn’t hesitate. They plunged back into the violent current, pulling one victim after another to safety, refusing to leave anyone behind. Only after all six were safe did they reach higher ground themselves.
That night, they were more than soldiers - they were living proof that heroism comes from courage, heart, and selflessness, not just training. Their bravery saved lives and inspired a community facing nature’s fury.