On The Trail of Lewis & Clark
Story & Photos by CW2 Terri Purcell - Posted Feb, 2003
Nearly 200 years ago, our third president sought to create and dispatch a Corps Of Discovery to traverse the recently acquired Louisiana Purchase. Thomas Jefferson sent William Clark and Meriwether Lewis (Ft. Lewis namesake) on a 3-year 3,000 mile journey that exploded Americans westward expansion. Now a hearty band of Guardsmen seek to rebuild a trail along the journeys route.
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As part of the approaching Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, the National Guard's Engineer Task Force - part of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program - is participating in rebuilding the historic trail taken by Lewis & Clark during their journey of exploration.
The Task Force has long provided valuable training opportunities for National Guard engineer units. Through the program, Guardsmen are able to augment the training they receive during their normal drill weekends, with the sort of hands-on experiences they need to maintain their engineering skills and improve the readiness of their units.
Both Army and Air National Guard units work side-by-side on projects, coordinating with local civilian representatives. The National Guard provides skilled operators and engineering equipment, and the local governments provide materials, plans and coordination. It's a win-win situation for everybody.
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In May of 2002 Guardsmen representing the units from Washington that will be involved in the newly formed Lewis & Clark Discovery Trail Task Force traveled to Long Beach, WA to participate in their Loyalty Days Parade. Participating units included the Washington Army National Guard's 898th Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Everett, together with 803rd Engineer Detachment (Utility), headquartered in Seattle, and the Washington Air Guard's 254th Red Horse Flight, headquartered on Camp Murray.
The Task Force entered the parade with two vehicles; one driven by SGT Shawn Naber and PFC Ramierez, both members of Company A, 898th Engineers, and the other driven by TSgt Jim Allen and TSgt Dan Eakman, of the 254th Red Horse. The event was the first in a series of leading up to the final commemoration ceremonies scheduled for November of 2005.
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A memorial award is presented to the parade participant unit that most impressed the line-up committee. The committee, that has been organizing the Loyalty Days Parade for over 40 years, chose the National Guard to receive this award. In honor of the late organizer and past chairman of the Loyalty Days Committee who passed away last year, the Washington National Guard was chosen as an outstanding cooperative member in this year's parade. SGT Naber not only cooperated in a friendly manner, but also pitched in and helped the line-up committee direct traffic during the parade formation. Our Task Force for the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial would like to dedicate this trophy to SGT Naber, currently hospitalized after a very serious accident just weeks after he participated in the parade.
The Trophy was presented to LTC Duane Coffey, 898 ENGINEER Commander and Lewis & Clark Discovery Trail Task Force Commander and to the Washington National Guard, at the Alumni Day Ceremony held at Camp Murray, September 14 2002. Maj Gen Timothy Lowenberg, The Adjutant General, and the former 898 ENG Commander LTC Rod Dixon and TSgt Dan Eakman received the Award presented by the Loyalty Days Committee Chairpersons, Bob & Judy Andrew.
For more information about the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, visit these websites: National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Website and the Washington Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Website
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