KEARNEY, Neb. - What started as a strange noise in the attic, ultimately turned into something that no one expected.

"I cut out about a 10 inch by 10 inch square in the ceiling, and when I pulled it down, the amount of droppings that came out was overwhelming, to say the least," said Jordan Miettinen of the 2nd Battalion 134th Airborne Infantry regiment.

"My wife walked into the room and I told her, just go grab the respirators, so I didn't want any health issues or anything like that. I started tearing into stuff," said

While Miettinen was serving overseas, a silent infestation was growing in his family's home.

Colonies of bats and wasps had likely been nesting there for more than a decade, and they left behind toxic droppings and extensive damage.

"I sat on the couch and my wife just sat on the staircase, and I think we both just kind of stared at the wall. My wife broke down and I didn't even know how to tell her it was going to be okay, because I didn't know what to do- I didn't know how bad the problem was," Miettinen.

The house became unlivable. For two weeks Jordan, his wife and kids bounced between relatives' homes and hotel rooms- but help arrived fast.

More than a dozen National Guard brothers showed up from across the state this weekend to surprise Jordan by helping him clean out the infestation and rebuild.

"It's just overwhelming. My heart's full, and I would do anything for these guys," Miettinen. "They're my family. I've been in the National Guard for a little over 20 years. I could have retired. These guys are the reason I stay," he added.

Friends surprised the family by starting a GoFundMe page to help cover the nearly $30,000 in repair costs.

Miettinen's civilian employer of Complete Roofing helped donate supplies, food, and trailers to support the weekend-long cleanup effort.

"It's nothing for these guys to come out here. And I'd do the same, but it's me, so I don't want them to do it kind of thing. But I'm very grateful for it," said Miettinen.

The family says they're overwhelmed with gratitude that their military family showed up to answer the call, even when their home front became the front line.