by Finley, Zack
Gerald Breckenridge, a.k.a. grandpa or Pops died 10 years before the start of "Breckinridge Valley." Father to Bob (wife Clarice), Aaron, and George and grandfather of Jeremy, Steve, and Alice. Wife Esther, grandma or Granny.
George Breckinridge, the bachelor son of Gerald and Esther, is in charge of all livestock operations in the Valley.
Steve and Mandy Breckenridge. Steve is the oldest son of Aaron and Claire, parents to Joe (16), Ellie (13) and Billy (11). Ran solar manufacturing center in Huntsville and recruited technical personnel to the Valley cause. Now in charge of Justice.
Alice and Alex Mason; Alice was born a Breckinridge but left Tennessee for Chicago as a fashion designer. Alex was a corporate manager with an MBA. Two girls ages 16 and 14 and a boy age 13. Live with Claire and Aaron.
Significant Valley allies
Roger and Carmine Carlton. Roger served in the Vietnam War with Aaron Breckenridge. He is Aaron's best friend and right-hand man. Roger is head of the Valley defense force and is the intelligence chief. Children Andy, Jules, and Audrey.
Jules Carlton best friend of Jeremy growing up. Became astrophysicist with interest in the sun. Lives in California and warned Valley about CME. Not heard from since.
Andy Carlton lived in Arizona with wife, Carol, and three children. Youngest child is Kathleen at 3 years old. He and allies planned to ride out the CME and expected crash in a bug out location in Arizona. Killed outside of Clarksville, Tennessee.
Audrey and Jim Smith, Audrey is the daughter of Roger and Carmine Carlton. They live in the Valley. Jim works closely with George Breckinridge.
Dr. Amelie Jerrod, doctor, and former refugee. Mother of Jimmie and Clarice. Recruited by Claire Breckinridge.
Jacob and Rachel Neufeld, a Mennonite couple making a home in the Valley.
Sally, an expert in space weather and radios. Main Valley HAM operator.
Glenn, sponsored his Huntsville neighbors to join the Valley post-crash.
Significant Valley allies from Arkansas group (from “To the Rescue”)
Rufus Grady, formerly a colonel in U.S. Army. Joined Andy’s group of refugees, along with four Army sergeants before coming to the Valley. Was on a scouting mission to another military post to assess the impact of the CME. Sean, one of Grady’s sergeants, was wounded in the same action that killed Andy.
Lois, nurse, member of refugee group. Provided all medical care for that group and a caregiver for the group’s children.
Juanita, older Hispanic lady, member of the refugee group, spiritual leader and ramrod. Grandmother of John, mother of Joe (a.k.a. Jose). Part of Andy’s original prep group.
Dwayne, a former K-9 soldier who joined the Andy’s refugee group. He convinced Andy to cross the Mississippi River at Helena. Dwayne’s family started the prepper compound in Helena, Arkansas.
Jimmy, a skilled mechanic.
The 20 Rangers
The group of 20 Rangers recruited by Jeremy is called Force Beta when Jeremy and others remember. Not all have been named in these books.
Ben, a natural leader and a qualified sniper. Beaten in Helena, Arkansas on “To the Rescue” mission. Recovering from broken ribs.
Craig, a sniper, living in Jeremy's home. Recovering alcoholic was attending junior college until the crash. Wounded “To the Rescue” mission.
Joel, master mechanic, one of those on “To the Rescue” mission.
Mike received a minor wound in taking the Mecklin County Justice Center. Now training as a backup medic. Only Ranger who didn’t serve in Army with Jeremy. Part of “To the Rescue” mission.
Razor, master lockpicker, car thief, and driver on “To the Rescue” mission. Died in Helena, Arkansas.
Tom, group’s main medic, considered the best “good cop” interrogator on “To the Rescue” mission.
Zeke owned a gun store in Oneida before the crash. Lost leg from IED in Afghanistan. Gunsmith and armorer. Jeremy Breckinridge’s second in command.
Scott was severely wounded in a shootout with the militia. He is still recovering.
Buzzer and Matt were very involved in protecting the seniors in the Huntsville middle school. Matt was a former officer who resigned his commission long before this story begins.
Pete and Eric are other Rangers named in the story.
Force Gamma
Twenty people from the Valley defense force assigned to Force Beta for training. Serve as backup for Force Beta.
Allie, the boat handler, on “To the Rescue” mission.
Other players
Cumberland, a Coast Guard a buoy tending towboat assigned to Hickman, Kentucky. Main ride in “To the Rescue.”
Jersey Girl, a towboat acquired in Memphis, TN, during “To the Rescue.”
Sheriff Lewis, elected to office in Mecklin County, TN. Murdered by Deputy Allen group.
Major Thomas, commander of National Guard Armory in Oneida.
Jerry Hill owns a truck-trailer manufacturing company in Huntsville. Placed trailers to block roads into Huntsville area just after the crash. Main contact with the Mormon community.
Deputy Jenson killed in Huntsville after the crash. Served as a turning point for law enforcement in Huntsville.
Mecklin County Sheriff's Deputies Brian and Jake were captured and agreed to assist Valley forces in the takeover of the Mecklin County Justice Center.
Deputy Allen, a pedophile, and murder who overthrew Sheriff Lewis and assumed control of the forces holding the Justice Center. Escaped from the Justice Center. He was subsequently killed in the Oneida Walmart shootout.
Significant locations
Breckinridge Valley (you won’t find it on any map) located off the Mecklin River in Mecklin County Tennessee. More than 5,000 arable acres surrounded by forestland. Water supplied by large spring and stream running through Valley that flows into Mecklin River. Connected to the mainland by a single bridge over the Mecklin River. Some undeveloped trails could provide emergency escape route with some effort. Breckinridge family purchased a large buffer around the Valley over the past 70 years.
Clarksville, Tennessee https://bit.ly/2RY1fQT
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas is the county seat and largest city in Phillips County, Arkansas. It is located on the Mississippi River with a pre-crash population of about 13,000. Known for its cotton, soy, and kudzu. Last known location of Andy in “To the Rescue.” https://bit.ly/2ZVll11
Hickman, Kentucky has a port on the Mississippi River.
Huntsville, Tennessee is the county seat for the mystical Mecklin County. It is a sprawling rural area with only 1,000 people living in the city limits. It is the site for the new Mecklin County Justice Center. It stretches along TN-297 and its intersection with US-27. https://bit.ly/2Xf0QdK
Mecklin County (you won’t find it on any map) is bordered to the north by Kentucky. It is located on the Cumberland Plateau and is known for its natural beauty. Its pristine forests, streams, and rivers were once a mecca for hikers, hunters, paddlers, and fisherman. Even before the crash, it was sparsely populated with only 20,000 residents.
Memphis, Tennessee https://bit.ly/2JduNHC
Mississippi River plays a significant role in both To the Rescue and to a lesser extent Bittersweet Homecoming. I found this map provided wonderful insight into the craziness that is big muddy: https://bit.ly/1NCQ8lU
Oneida is the largest city in Mecklin County with 3,600 people. It has a Walmart Supercenter and a county hospital.
