Cape County road benefits from National Guard training

Sgt. 1st Class Mike Evans, a Cape Girardeau native who lives in Kosicusko, Miss., said he couldn't recall ever having ventured out at far as County Road 532, which lies 25 miles north of the city -- so far into the rural county that cell phones are useless.

The land was familiar enough and he was clearly happy to be standing on it Friday. Evans is one of more than two dozen soldiers of the Missouri Army National Guard's 220th Engineer Horizontal Company, based in Festus, Mo. They are using bulldozers and dump trucks to move a half-mile stretch of Cape Girardeau County Road 532 from its current route through a creek bed to a new, higher and drier path.

Evans is participating in a two-week training that puts him close to family. His brother lives in Cape Girardeau; their mother lives in Jackson. Evans said his mother did not know he was assigned to the project until she opened her front door to find him standing on her porch. He said he expects to see her at least a few more times before Saturday, when training ends.

The work was made possible by the federal Innovative Readiness Training program, created by former president Bill Clinton in 1993. Lt. Dustin Berry said lessons learned or reinforced while renovating County Road 532 will in turn benefit communities overseas.

During his time in Iraq, Berry helped build military checkpoints while training Iraqi soldiers. He helped build schools while in Guatemala last year. IRT allows soldiers to get realistic training in their specialty field while helping a community close to home -- a blend of mission and community service that boosts morale.

Cape Girardeau County Commissioners approved the County Road 532 project more than a year ago. Once the soldiers complete the foundation, the county can add gravel or pave the road.

The road is scheduled to be done Saturday, Evans said, and will, "as long as it doesn't rain on us."

On Friday, he cast a watchful eye on the soldiers. A fine dust settled on everyone and everything but did not take the edge off the blazing afternoon sun. Three soldiers retreated to the shade of a Jeep, sipping water while taking a brief break from the heat.

Evans, a platoon sergeant and construction supervisor, happily noted that no one had succumbed to the combination of hard work and hot weather.

In his civilian life, Evans, 49, drives an 18-wheeler. The 26-year veteran said he gets the most satisfaction from teaching others what he knows.

"I could retire today, but I love this," he said. "I'm staying in till they throw me out."

He said he stays in the military for the "enjoyment and thrill of being around people from different places."

"I love training troops and just passing on the things I've learned in the past. And hopefully they can pass it on to the next group," he said, a lopsided grin forming at the notion. "Maybe someday they'll say, 'Yeah, I learned this from that ol' Sgt. Evans ...'"

While in Iraq he traveled roads looking for improvised explosive devices. On his left wrist is a blue and black braided wristband, a constant reminder of the four comrades who died on duty. After returning to the United States, Evans was assigned to the 220th.

"They have treated me like family here," he said. "I'll end my career with them."

To learn more about IRT, visit the Reserve Affairs Web site, www.defenselink.mil/ra/html/irt.html.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

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