Standing strong through adversity Published July 20, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Images of flooded homes and floating debris within the city of Minot were recently a common sight to see on the front page of newspapers and throughout various national media outlets across the country. They reflected difficulties the Minot community continues to face, which includes more than 1,100 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen affected by the recent historic flooding situation. Among those displaced was Tech. Sgt. Lance Berentson, 741st Missile Squadron facility manager, who said the images he saw on the news only brought anxiety because he couldn't help but wonder what was happening to his home. In anticipation to what he was sure was an imminent evacuation order, Berentson was able to sandbag around his home, pack up as many belongings as he could and move his family of six, including pets, elsewhere. He said he was originally going to move into his in-law's mobile home, but he didn't think that would be the best living situation for his family. Luckily, one of his wife's co-workers offered assistance and arranged accommodations for them on base. Angie Clark, wife of Tech. Sgt. Kevin Clark, 5th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment craftsman, said as soon as she knew of the troubles the Berentson family was going through, she opened her doors to them. "I couldn't imagine leaving friends displaced in a dome or in some mass shelter area, especially if they have four children," said Clark. "Right before they got here I organized everything in the house and prepared for them to arrive. It was very panicky the first day but we worked things out." She explained she took on the job of continuing normalcy for the Berentson family. She set up video games for the boys, TV for the girls, toys for the little ones and had a fenced-in yard for the pets. "I also tried to keep Jennifer busy because when she would hear news of the flood on TV, it would bring her down, but she she's a strong woman and kept herself together," said Clark. "The only thing I could think of when they were here is ¬if they have to go through this devastation - then how can I make everything as much like home to them as possible." When Clark's friends would ask her how they handled housing an additional six individuals at her home, she would tell them she was doing her part in helping out the community. She added she was just one of several taking in displaced friends and family members. "I don't see what I did as anything special, I think that everybody that could have done something did," said Clark. "Everybody who took in families is phenomenal. I cannot believe the outreach and support of the community." Berentson said throughout the whole situation he did his best to cope with everything that was going on, and despite not knowing how his house was holding up, he tried to stay positive. "Complaining about things and having a bad attitude about it was not going to make things better," said Berentson. "We continued to do our best to keep things for the family as close to home as possible." He explained the kids were aware of everything that was going on and they knew what was happening and overall were fine and could deal with it. "They understood we had to do what was necessary," Berentson said. "It's just one of those situations where we had to make do with what we had." When the Berentson family was allowed back into their home July 12, they found their basement flooded, the house's foundation damaged and their yard in shambles. Nonetheless, Berentson said he would work to fix his home and had no plans on moving. Those interested in donating funds for MAFB displaced Airmen, can mail contributions to Operation Warmheart care of Minot Flood Fight at 22 Peacekeeper Place, Minot AFB, ND 58705.