Back in 1987 Wendell Hollis was a Major in the Bermuda Regiment under the command of Lt Col Gavin Shorto. And then Hurricane Emily hit causing widespread destruction, destruction Bermuda had not seen for many, many years.And that is when the Regiment started its now famous role in helping Bermuda and now islands to the south of us to recover from a hurricane.Remembering those times of 1987, Mr Hollis, who is a well-known lawyer, said of getting the Regiment out to help: “It was an idea that came up while we were sitting around at Belco in the days after the hurricane. The Regiment had taken over the logistics of Belco for a couple of weeks and we were getting these reports that the Island would have to shut down for three months things like that. Back then tourism was still pretty strong and we wanted to get Bermuda back to work. I felt that there was no way a country with our resources should have to wait for three months. I wanted to see what we could do.”So Mr Hollis and Lt Col Shorto met and drew up a plan and then Mr Hollis presented it to Cabinet. “That was the first time I had ever presented anything to Cabinet,” he said.After Cabinet approved the plan a date was set for a National Clean-Up Day.Also all the major contractors were contacted to help and other companies did their part. “Spots all over the Island were allocated (to various groups to clean up). Everyone got involved including exempt companies. It was really the first time the Regiment had done something like that (on that scale).“On the day of the clean-up, the Regiment was heavily involved but 90 percent of the actual work on the day was done by civilians. A lot of companies gave people time off to help out. We closed down the Island for a day and we did in that day what they had been saying would take three months.”And since Emily the Regiment has become better and better in dealing with natural disasters.“They have really perfected the whole thing. Every time it gets better and better,” said Mr Hollis adding, “hurricanes also bring Bermudians together as a people. National unity and pride are never higher than the day after a hurricane. Everyone wants to help out. It is great to see. That clean-up day in 1987 was a huge day of national unity. It was a big campaign. People organised their neighbourhoods everyone was helping out. It was a huge transition.”And when the Regiment went to Grenada to help that island after the devastating Hurricane Ivan, Mr Hollis said: “That is the most major overseas commitment we have done.”When the fast-moving Emily hit Bermuda, locals were caught off guard by the 90 mph winds. Cars and boats were affected the most, though houses experienced severe damage during the storm's passage as well. Hurricane Emily caused $50 million in damage to Bermuda, though no one was killed. About 230 buildings lost their roofs and 16 people were injured due to winds gusting in excess of 112 mph. The airport was shut down as a large portion of its roof was blown off during the storm.