It has now been five months since catastrophic flooding devastated the Texas Hill Country. There is one family’s story that I can no longer keep to myself—one that deserves to be shared, and one I hope this platform can help support during an unimaginable time of loss. It is a remarkable story, one that gripped me tighter than any of my experiences performing rescue operations. For the privacy of all involved, their names will be kept anonymous.

On the morning of July 4, 2025, after receiving the order to respond to massive flooding in the area near Hunt, TX, we found ourselves in the midst of more death and destruction than I had ever experienced stateside in my military career. I can not describe the images that will stay with me forever.

Upon arrival to a summer camp we now know well, our immediate action was to conduct a search pattern for the 30+ missing children along the Guadalupe River. It wasn't long until we came upon a home with people waving for our attention. The decision was made to lower our rescue swimmer to the lone standing porch to see if there were any survivors in need of immediate medical attention. What we found were two young campers, alive and uninjured, that had been carried away by the raging waters just moments before. We loaded them up, knowing their parents would be anxiously awaiting word of their well-being. After dropping them off with a nearby Texas Parks & Wildlife game warden, we continued our mission for the remainder of the day. What we later learned of the moments prior to our arrival, has changed my life forever.

Early that morning, waters began to rise the family's property. They had seen the water to that level only once, back in 1987, when they first moved in. As the water rose past historic levels, they knew this one was different. The basement and garage were soon taken over, and they found themselves on the top floor around 1:30AM, without power, a way to call for help, and at the mercy of the river.

It was about then that they heard faint voices yelling for help. In an instant, they were outside on the elevated porch, surrounded by the powerful rising waters, pouring rain and thunderstorms, and vast darkness. Their flashlights could barely make out two young children hanging on to tree branches that were normally 35 feet in the air, but now at the current water level. One family member crawled over the porch rail and swam to the farthest child out, secured them, and was momentarily pinned to the tree by the accumulating rubble brought on by the waters. The family came together to retrieve them both back to the porch area. Another member was able to maneuver over the railing and reach the other child and bring them to safety as well. They all gathered inside the highest floor of the house, with water a couple of feet inside of as well, and waiting until the river began to recede.

There is no way to capture the details of this heroic effort here. A few days later, I was able to reach an extended member of that family and fly back to their property to meet them, hug them, and listen to their story from the view of the very porch from which they acted so brave. They are the kindest people. To witness it in person and see how they put themselves in incredible danger to save the life of two others, moved me and my crew beyond words. To make that moment so much more special, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting one of the two children we picked up that day. Their happiness, personality, and smile brought me so much joy and is impossible for me to forget.

I have kept in touch with this amazing family, and in that time have learned that flooding was not included in their home insurance policy. The assistance received from FEMA was a fraction of what is needed to rebuild their home. With Christmas on the horizon, this is the time to help and show the love where we can. Not all of us have the opportunity to physically rescue someone from a natural disaster, but we all have the opportunity to show love the way we can. I would like to ask for help in my journey to do this. I will be keeping this open until December 20th, 2025, at which point I will gather what funds have been collected and gift it to them before Christmas. I appreciate all of you, even if you've gotten this far reading this. God Bless you and your family. We have so much to be thankful for. - Ryan