 Military News
“This is the epitome of a community project,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Elizabeth Keene, senior instructor. “To see them helping their community this way, it honestly gives me goose bumps.” As the firefighters waded in water chest deep, whacked at weeds head high, and battled brush with chainsaws, the Warrant Officer Candidates pulled a boat across the rushing water and did the same on an island area. Warrant Officer Candidate Kristine Gardner, the project leader for her class, said the project was an opportunity to give back to a community that gives so much support to the Soldiers of Camp Atterbury. The class’s battalion commander, Lt. Col. Markus Thomas, explained the bigger picture of the clean up as it relates to the Army training programs. “Everything we train now is geared toward the contemporary operating environment,” Thomas said. “Interagency coordination is important in overseas operations and in local communities as we train for domestic operations, too.” Interagency coordination is exactly what took place today and this past month as the candidates teamed up with the local fire department, Edinburgh Department of Public Works and vendors from the area to remodel the site completely. The Big Blue River Dam in Edinburgh now has sidewalks, concrete stairs down to a safe fishing area and freshly painted handrails. Planting flowers was the last touch of the makeover from the candidates, but the project was halted by the rain, which will leave some painting to be done and much debris to be burned. The fire department and city will take over from here for the finishing touches. When the concrete cures, Soldiers will return for the safety rails on the stairs. Candidate Andrew Hall, in the position of class sergeant today, explained the project’s impact on the class. “Candidates from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan are here today from the 138th RTI at Camp Atterbury,” Hall said. “This project is a way for us to learn the importance of management and coordination. While working with the local community and local business owners we provided a safe environment that families can enjoy for free.” The community members echoed the candidate’s sentiment. Edinburgh resident Gene Graham, 86, came out to see what was going on at the site and ended up helping out a little. “Just checking this out,” he said, “I’ve lived here all my life. I played a lot of hooky down here as a kid; I love it. It’s beautiful.” The area that is being updated borders the Reel Bait and Tackle shop where Larry Lee works. He has watched the progress since early spring and is hopeful about the changes, particularly the 25 feet of new concrete steps. “I think it will draw people in here who haven’t been able to get down [to the river],” Lee said. “Now they can get down there to fish.” City Fire Chief Allen Smith and his crew, who worked on debris clean up above the dam, were especially appreciative of the collaborative effort to beautify the area. “A lot of people donated their time and supplies this year, and we really appreciate what the Rising Eagles [Candidates] have done this year to help us out.” Coordination, communication and relationships were essential to this project as the Soldiers worked to get tons of material and labor donated from business throughout the community. Everything from 452 feet of steel and tons of material for erosion prevention to equipment and pure manual labor came together today to benefit the 4500 citizens of Edinburgh. Midway through the day work stopped as the Candidates and leaders of the RTI took time to officially thank the community and Soldiers with plaques and certificates. A flying eagle statue will now sit in the town offices as a token of appreciation from the Rising Eagles who learned what it means to support and be supported by one’s community. “They’ve given us so much support,” said Gardner, the class project leader. “We just want to give back. It’s our team way of saying ‘thank you.’” ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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