Story by: Pfc. Katrina Tucker
CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- A bright red flag extends into the air between two towers that frame the entryway of the gray concrete structure. Inside this doorway, on a small plaque an inscription reads: 239th Engineers, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard, Operation Iraqi Freedom II, March 2004-2005, Isaiah 6:8.
Replicas of this prominent symbol for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the turreted castle, can be viewed around the world. The 239th recently added Taji, Iraq to that list.
The original home of the castle, which can now be seen safeguarding the entryway to the 239th's headquarters, was Baghdad Island. Iraqi craftsmen built the castle for a previous engineer brigade.
"While we were on a mission, the commander expressed an interest in the castle, so I went out there to see what it would take to move it," said 1st Lt. Rusty Fontenot, 3rd platoon leader.
Therein began the mission of transporting the castle from the island to its new home. The 24-year-old from Bay, Ark., was instrumental in the process of relocating the concrete structure.
Soldiers from the 239th took on the task of dismantling the castle in order to move it.
The concrete mixture used on the structure was not very strong and some pieces of the castle were broken when the Soldiers were dismantling the joints, said Sgt. Ronald Hays, 29, of Clarksville, Ark. After the castle had been separated, the Soldiers used various vehicles to bring the pieces to Taji.
Now, it was time to reconstruct the symbolic fortress. Everything was in pieces so the Soldiers had to work off of the original pictures, said Spc. Charles Brownlee, a member of 3rd platoon. Brownlee, a concrete finisher from Ozark, Ark., was involved in reassembling the castle.
Over a seven-day period, a variety of Soldiers from each platoon began bringing the structure back to life. The Soldiers had a good time; it was something to do besides the everyday routine, said Brownlee.
The finished product, some 13 feet long and five feet tall, is fashioned completely out of concrete.
The hands of the 239th Engineers mixed all of the concrete used in rebuilding the castle. Materials were hard to come by, so the Soldiers had to use whatever they could find to transport the concrete to the reconstruction site.
It was almost a 'stone-age' effort, said Sgt. John Carney, a member of the 239th's support platoon. The Soldiers used shovels and a mop bucket to carry the concrete.
It was a challenge, but the Soldiers worked really hard, said Carney.
Whether transporting the castle from the island or reconstructing it here, each platoon had a hand in some part of the project.
The Corps of Engineers adopted the emblem in since 1902. The 239th has shown their allegiance through rebuilding the replica of this turreted castle. The castle is a picture of pride to all engineers. This is a way for the 239th to leave a mark, said Carney.
Isaiah 6:8, which can also been seen fixed inside the 239th headquarters, states: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Who shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I, send me.""
For Capt. Jason Meharg, 239th commander, this is a motto for all American Soldiers. Not everyone can do what the Soldiers here execute. This is a calling, and the Soldiers are the ones who respond, said Meharg.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 01.25.2005 11:03 |
| Story ID: | 922 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 21 |
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