QUIMISTAN, Honduras – A Missouri Army National guardsman is serving as a project manager at a medical clinic construction site for Beyond the Horizon 2012 Honduras, a civil-military exercise that is dedicated to working together with the Hondurans to provide and humanitarian and engineering assistance.
Sgt. 1st Class Charles Wickes, of Union, Mo. and member of the 220th Engineer Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Brigade, works at a construction site in Quimistan.
“So far the construction is going really well,” Wickes said.
U.S. Army Engineers poured a concrete slab and installed walls and doors. Some work ahead of them includes pouring a sidewalk and installing plumbing; putting up trusses, a roof, and drywall.
Beyond the Horizon Honduras allows U.S. military personnel and units to sharpen their occupational skills while bringing lasting benefits to partner nations and their people.
The biggest challenge Wickes has faced is language barrier with the local people, he said.
“I’m slowly learning some Spanish from the locals and the soldiers who know Spanish,” Wickes said. “The Spanish-speaking soldiers help a lot with communicating.”
Communication is a key factor in helping Wickes do some of his favorite things in Honduras.
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people, trying some of the local food, and helping others by building this clinic,” Wickes said.
The most interesting food Wickes has tried is Iguana.
“We watched the local people catch an Iguana,” Wickes said. “They cooked the meat with eggs. It tasted similar to frog legs, it was pretty good.”
Wickes has served 15 years with the Missouri Army National Guard and served three years on active duty. He deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005.
He is supported in his military career by his wife and two daughters.