Guard's 'grill sergeants' to compete at Barbecue Fest this weekend

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- They're not being judged for combat readiness, rifle marksmanship or grenade-tossing accuracy.

But three Missouri National Guard cooks nonetheless will put their military training to the test this weekend as they compete in the Cape Girardeau Jaycees 17th annual Barbecue Fest. The event will be held Aug. 21-22 at Arena Park.

"We're cooks in the military," said Sgt. Dustin Rees, a cook with the 1140th Engineer Battalion's Headquarters Company. "If we place well, it does justice to the military training we received."

The team -- called the Grill Sergeants -- is made up of Rees and fellow cooks Staff Sgts. Tom Hammontree, with the 1140th's Forward Support Company and Derek Sides with Headquarters Company. Also, recruiter Staff Sgt. Steven Bell is on the team, serving as a runner and attending to the fire.

The team has competed in other barbecuing events, placing as high as third in Jackson. The teams will compete in meat categories such as chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket. The teams are competing for bragging rights and a grand prize of $1,000. The Missouri National Guard is sponsoring the Grill Sergeants in the competition, which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

"We started out wanting to compete, but we kind of got hooked," Rees said.

Rees said the competition is a great way to get the public involved in what the National Guard is all about.

"It helps the public understand that we're Citizen-Soldiers, that we have a civilian life, but that we're Soldiers as well," Rees said.

Several National Guard vehicles will be on-hand, including a Humvee. Also, Sgt. Lopez, the blow-up National Guard Soldier, will be on site to entertain children. A hand-out will also be available, along with some National Guard T-shirts. A live band, Doug Rees & Company, will perform 70s blues, rock and roll and some original music.

"It should be a great time," Rees said. "People seem to really enjoy talking to Soldiers and they're allowing us to hand out samples. We really invite people to come down and participate in the event."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.