William Long graduated high school in 2011 and, like many, regrets missing the high military deployment days of the mid-2000s. He might not have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, but he had the great honor of serving his home and neighbors in Oklahoma. On May 20, 2013, shortly after he enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, a devastating EF5 tornado hit Moore, an Oklahoma City suburb. Whenever there’s trouble beyond the capacity of local and state rescue and law enforcement, the people can always count on the National Guard.

Long had been working as a storm chaser for the National Weather Service. They’d been worried conditions were perfect for nightmare storms. After their predictions proved correct, Long was entering the damage zone in Moore and heard the radio announcement. All Oklahoma National Guard personnel were ordered to report for duty. He’d sworn an oath before God to defend Oklahoma, and the time had come to make good on his promise.