Disappointed in residents who didn't respect National Guard

Greetings Saratoga,

After completing my 3rd semester in the LCCC nursing program in Cheyenne and receiving my LPN I accepted a temporary nursing position at the Wyoming Cowboy CalleNGe Academy at the Wyoming National Guard Camp in Guernsey. As I was sharing lunch with some acquaintances I was asked “Are people in Saratoga mean?” I was taken back and didn’t know how to answer so I asked “why?”. I was informed that members of the Wyoming National Guard and been called to help with the flood efforts in Saratoga and that it had not had a positive experience. People were upset about their lawns being messed up by equipment being used to place sand bags and dirt to protect homes along the river as well as, being told “you guys aren’t working fast enough” and the most scaring comment was “why do you serve and go abroad to fight, it’s just a waste of time”. I still didn’t know how to respond but told them I was very sorry that members of the community were being insensitive and unfriendly to people who had volunteered to protect the community. I walked away from our conversation feeling incredibly sad for several reasons. The first thought I had was, the NG and specifically programs such as flood control are volunteer projects our NG men and women commit to. These folks often lose money leaving their normal occupations to protect Wyomingites whether it be within or outside our borders and my heart sunk to think my home town would treat them in such a manner. I have been blessed to have crossed paths with NG members and they are amazing people who give of themselves in ways I have never fully understood until now and I believe that they deserve the utmost respect and down home hospitality that I know the people of Saratoga can give.

When I am asked where I am from my heart swells with pride to say the North Platte Valley! Some have no idea where that is and that’s ok, but those who do always have wonderful comments or stories to tell about their time in the valley. I feel so blessed to have grown up there and to have raised my children around family and wonderful people who always encouraged them. My “home” will always be there in the valley and I would love to continue to be proud of the place and the people. Please help me to do just that.

“Handle yourself with your head; handle others with your heart” Eleanor Roosevelt

-Kristen Barkhurst

Former Valley resident