Eight members of the submarrine USS Missouri have surfaced in Joplin, helping with the debris cleanup. Chief Yeoman Mike Shea heard about the May 22nd tornado while the boat was in drydock for equipment upgrades and went to his commander. Seven other members of the crew who could be away from their training for a week have used their vacation time and paid their own travel expenses to go to Joplin.

Shea says nothing they had seen on television prepared them for the devastation they’ve been dealing with for a week. He says they’ll tell their crewmates when they get back that anytime they can answer a call for help, they shouldn’t hesitate.

Shea says people seem to find some comfort in the eight crew members being there, listening to their stories nnd working with them on debris removal. They’ll fly back to Groton, Connecticut tomorrow.

Listen to interview with Chief Yeoman Shea 8:38 mp3