Bratcher still handy with chainsaw at 80

In the aftermath of Friday afternoon’s tornadoes, stories have begun filtering in about the way Warren County residents have come to the aid of storm victims.

It’s safe to say not many have a story about an octogenarian good Samaritan, but that’s exactly the story Pettigap Road resident Gloria Milligan has to tell.

‘I’ve got an 80-year-old man cutting up and clearing off the fallen trees in my yard,’ Milligan said. ‘Can you believe that? Now that’s a neighbor.’

The spry and active 80-year-old Milligan is talking about is Kenneth Bratcher, well-known to many Warren countians as site supervisor during the construction of the Warren County Jail expansion.

Bratcher says it’s nothing unusual, just neighbor helping neighbor, and he feels he is returning the favor in a way because of the help he received with storm damage on his own property,

‘You know how many people with chainsaws came out to my house the day after the storm’? Bratcher asked. ‘Well, there were 10 people. People around here help each other out, and that’s what I’m doing here.’

As for his age, Bratcher apparently feels that’s not a major issue.

‘Life begins at 80,’ he quipped with a grin, noting he spends quite a bit of his spare time keeping Pettigap road pristine and free of litter. ‘Put a little something in your story about how clean the road is.’

Bratcher hopes his efforts will encourage other communities to make an effort to control litter.

Milligan experienced major damage to the trees in her front yard, most of which were toppled by the winds, and minor damage to her house.

‘It wasn’t as bad as what a lot of people had,’ Milligan said. ‘A lot of people just lost their homes, but it’s a miracle, and a blessing, no one was hurt.’

As to Bratcher’s efforts to help her clear out the damaged trees, Milligan says she is not surprised, but very grateful.

‘He’s just a wonderful neighbor,’ Milligan said, ‘and a really good man. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.’