STEVEN FREEMAN
A Veteran’s Gratitude for Community Support
On the day of the flood, Steven Freeman woke up to find his house shoes floating beside his bed. At first, it didn’t quite register how deep the water was, Steven recalled, but when he stood up, he found himself standing in two feet of water. Stepping outside to assess the damage, he saw his tennis shoes and his grandkids’ toys drifting away in the floodwaters.
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His car had water in the floorboard, but he managed to move it across the street to higher ground. Unfortunately, his truck wouldn’t start, so he had to leave it behind. Surveying the chaotic scene, he was struck by the surreal sight of his riding lawnmower bobbing in the water. “Who would have thought riding lawnmowers would float?” he remarked. His boat had floated into the garage, which was the only thing that prevented it from being swept away.
As he reached for the boat to secure it, he was met with an unwelcome surprise: a large cottonmouth snake. “Me and him came to a quick understanding,” he said. “He went his way, and I went mine.” The shock of the entire situation left him reeling.
The biggest challenge he faced was the mess left behind. The aftermath of the flood was overwhelming. The house was a mess—every panel had to be ripped out and treated for mold, and most of his belongings were ruined. He needed new clothes and shoes but managed to salvage a few cherished mementos from his mother.
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The American Red Cross was the first to reach out to Steven, followed by the Veterans’ Association, since he is a veteran. He also received a call from Camp Graves, offering him a place to stay through their temporary housing program. Through Graves County High School, he was connected with the Mayfield Graves Long Term Recovery Group (MGC LTRG), which stepped in to provide critical assistance. “The crew they sent was fantastic,” he said. “They worked hard to help me get back on my feet.”
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For Steven, the key to coping with life’s challenges has always been to not let things get to him. “If I lose something, I replace it,” he said. “I try not to worry about things I can’t change.” His motto was simple but effective: “A little at a time.”
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The MGC LTRG’s support made all the difference, and Steven says he couldn’t be more grateful for all their help. “You all took the lead, and I followed,” he said with gratitude. The MGC LTRG worked with Steven to replace his appliances, provided essential supplies, and helped complete the renovation of his home.
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Before the flood, Steven never imagined such a disaster could happen to him. “You see things like this on the news and never think it’ll happen to you,” he said. Now, whenever it rains, he watches the weather closely. “It makes me nervous,” he admitted.
Determined to prepare for the future, he’s made his home more flood-resistant, with concrete floors and metal chair rails covering the bottoms of the walls. Through it all, he found strength in his community. Steven’s church, the MGC LTRG, volunteers, and many others were there for him when he needed it most. “I felt like they were working harder than I was, so I better get behind them,” he said. Steven was amazed by the outpouring of help he received. “It brings tears to my eyes,” he said, reflecting on the kindness he received on his journey of disaster recovery.