Army Guard Engineers Build To Hone Skills And Help Local Communities

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Buckfield native Sgt. Ben White, of the 136th Engineer Company hangs a section of fence in the rain during annual training at Camp Sunshine, Casco.

AUGUSTA, ME (06/28/2012)(readMedia)-- In less than two weeks, Soldiers of the Maine Army National Guard completed over 20 missions in support of Maine charitable organizations, local comminutes and schools, all of whom would not have been able to get the job done without their help.

Winslow High School has a new announcer's booth, Topsham's Head of Tide Park has two new pavilions and restrooms, and Burke Park in Newport has a new lighted walking path, despite heavy rain, long hours and flooding.

The 133rd Engineer Battalion completed these projects with the help of their support units the 262nd and 136th Engineer Companies along with the 185th Engineer Support Company.

Capt. Steven Morin, commander of the 136th is pleased his Soldiers get to assist in their own back yards.

"It feels great to give back to the community. These are Maine Soldiers doing work for Maine people. We can do this anywhere in the world, but we are doing it here right now and it's far more gratifying for us to do it for the people of Maine," said Morin.

Morin, the Hermon native understands that giving back to the State is only part of the reason the MEARNG and Department of Defense facilitate these Innovative Readiness Training missions.

"We were able to train up some of our young Soldiers that have never done something like this before, so it was a hand in hand mission. We got some training and they got the benefit of our labor," said Morin.

One of Morin's Soldiers, Pvt. 1st Class Timothy Read, a carpentry and masonry specialist with 2nd platoon 2nd squad worked at Camp Sunshine in Casco repairing bridges, shingling a roof and helping to construct 2,200 feet of fencing for the camp. The Camp is a retreat for kids with life threatening illnesses and their families.

"I think it's a great thing, it's a part of serving. We joined to serve our country and our state. It's a good opportunity to let them know we do care about them as much as they care about us," said Read.

The 133rd has conducted community outreach projects for decades. On June 26, during the annual training period, Camp Sunshine awarded the Engineer Battalion a plaque thanking them for the past 20 years of service to the camp.

Gov. Paul LePage was on hand to extend his gratitude for the work done at Camp Sunshine and around the state plus the ability of the engineers to assist Vermont during their state of emergency following the hurricane last year.

"I absolutely thank you all for your dedication not only to the state and protecting our freedoms, but for volunteering here at Camp Sunshine and for all the good you have done," said LePage.

The good they have done these past two weeks include a new recreational football field in Skowhegan, Ellsworth has a newly constructed access road and thanks to the 262nd Augusta has an expanded trail network at the Nordic Trails.

The 133rd Engineer Battalion could deploy anywhere in the world, but for now they are serving their community at home and the state of Maine.