Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Longstreet | Spc. Nathan Spruell , of the 921st Horizontal Company from Winnsboro, La., 528th...... read more read more
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PINEVILLE, La. – One of the pillars of the Army Values is selfless service. The Louisiana National Guard’s 225th Engineer Brigade’s efforts epitomize this value as these Soldiers brave the heat to help build a park for youth in Mansfield, La., July 30.
The city of Mansfield approached the Louisiana National Guard for assistance with the project in October 2007. In September 2009, the National Guard Bureau approved the innovative readiness training project and work began in June 2010 with materials purchased by Mansfield and DeSoto Parish.
“This is a true perspective of what the Guard can do in a community and for the American people,” Mansfield Mayor Curtis W. McCoy said. “A project like this takes teamwork from both the community and the Guard.”
The project began on June 5, and will continue into August. Elements from across the state have assisted. The 527th Engineer Battalion is headquartered in Ruston, La., the 205th Eng. Bn., hails from Bogalusa, La., and the 528th Eng. Bn., is stationed in Monroe, La.
“We were brought in to construct two ball fields and a concession stand for the youth of Mansfield,” said Capt. Chris M. Spurlock, of Sterlington, La., 528th Eng. Bn. “The city of Mansfield is providing us with all the materials which include the roofing, plumbing, electrical supplies, the cinder blocks and dirt.”
The 527th Eng. Bn., began the initial phase of the project by completing site preparations and placing the concrete supports for the foundations. Phase two was completed by the 205th Eng. Bn., which leveled off the top soil for the ball fields and began laying the cinder block courses for the concession stand and restrooms.
“The other battalions got a good part of the concession stand started for us. We will finish the walls and the roof; then move onto the plumbing and electrical work for the concession stand and the latrines,” Spurlock, the 528th Eng. Bn., operations officer said.
Approximately 30 Soldiers from the 921st Horizontal Company out of Winnsboro, La., and the 1023rd Vertical Company out of Bastrop, La., both from the 528th Eng. Bn., began their annual training period at the work site on July 24.
“Our role was to knock down the top soil and build up the ball fields,” said Sgt. John A. Taylor, of the 921st Horizontal Eng. Co. “We had to use the water tankers to help level the top soil.”
The 1023rd had a vastly different role then the earth moving 921st. They handled the vertical construction project of completing the concession stand and restrooms.
“My role was to mix the mortar for the cinder blocks and place the block,” said Sgt. Carell R. Keys, of the 1023rd. “As a plumber, it was not an area I was that familiar with, and so it was nice to learn how to lay cinder block.”
Seeing the city park come together with the help of the Guard, has been a rewarding experience for McCoy, as he views this project as an essential part of the growth of Mansfield.
“[The project] is also a good community relations tool, and a way to help save money for a small town such as Mansfield. DeSoto Parish is growing and we will be a much larger town in the future and we needed to give the kids a place to go,” said McCoy. “This park is for recreational purposes and it serves as the only one in the city, and is vital to our growth.”
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2010 09:28 |
| Story ID: | 54149 |
| Location: | PINEVILLE, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 44 |
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