Vernonia Ground Breaking Event

Kristina Halvorson of Vernonia, Ore., and Oregon Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Zachary Shaffer, of the 125th Special Tactics Squardron stand by one of the boats used to rescue stranded flood residents of Vernonia, Ore. during the 2007 floods that covered most of the town. Halvorson is a senior at Vernonia High School and was rescued from the rooftop of her home by members of the Oregon National Guard and Tech Sgt. Shaffer was one of the many Oregon Guardsmen that was involved in the mission to save Vernonia residents during the flooding. The Oregon National Guard brought back many of the pieces of equipment used in the rescue operatons for the groundbreaking ceremony on December 2, 2010 at the site of current High School and at the site of the new Vernonia schools that plan to open in 2013. (US Air Force Photograph by Tech. Sgt. John Hughel, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)