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National Guard leaves with good impressions of Keokuk
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| Illinois Department of Transportation crews clean off the westbound lanes of the U.S. Highway 136 approach to the Hamilton-Keokuk Bridge Monday, while eastbound traffic flows on the elevated eastbound lanes. As Mississippi River floodwaters recede, IDOT will clear gravel from the entire approach and restore access to all four lanes. |
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
The rising Mississippi River waters and the need for a steady supply of sandbags brought about 150 Iowa National Guard troops to Keokuk for a week.
Keokuk High School resembled a military outpost by Sunday, June 15, the day after the U.S. Army's official 233rd birthday and national Flag Day. Iowa's 113th Cavalry, the 34th Infantry and other units arrived in Keokuk during the first hours of June 15.
Additional soldiers arrived that afternoon, staying at Keokuk Middle School. Keokuk's National Guard Armory also housed visiting troops.
“We were sent out Sunday to the Roquette plant to place sandbags on top of the levee,” said Staff Sgt. Roman Avila Friday afternoon.
Avila and Spc. Joel Hayworth, Pvt. Wade Simmons, Spc. Nathan Hull and Spc. Derek Christy were taking a little down time Friday afternoon at Wright Fieldhouse, their “home” for the past six days.
“We worked eight to 10 hours a day building up the levee all week,” said Avila.
That first Sunday, on June 15, troops worked through the night into Monday, according to waste water treatment plant manager Chuck Pietscher.
Building up the flood wall (built after the 1993 flood to protect up to about a 28-foot flood) that protects Roquette kept the river from engulfing Keokuk's sewage treatment plant along the river. A week ago, Keokuk's crest was predicted at 28.2 to 28.6 feet. The Mississippi crested at 26.94 feet on Tuesday here, according to Keokuk Lock and Dam personnel.
National Guard members also initially helped filling sandbags at Keokuk's water treatment plant near Victory Park. That plant was secured to a flood crest of 30 feet by noon Sunday, according to Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew.
“At Roquette, we laid bags. We didn't fill any more,” said Avila.
Roquette employees and volunteers supplied the filled sandbags.
The soldiers were satisfied with their week in uniform in Keokuk.
“We had about 45 troops sleeping here in the gym,” said Avila. “When you have that many bodies in here, during the day it was a little warm, but we turned on the fans and kept the outside door open and the evenings cooled off. It was comfortable.”
When the soldiers had free time, they explored the community either on foot or by Humvee.
“Wendy's was very supportive,” said one of the specialists. “They served us food at no charge.”
Another favorite hangout was Wal-Mart where they rubbed elbows with the locals.
The Maytag laundry facility on Main Street let the National Guard members do their laundry free of charge.
“Everybody was friendly and welcoming. A lot of people told us thanks for coming,” said Avila. “Throughout the week local churches and community members brought us sandwiches, cookies, all kinds of food and drinks. It was very nice.”
A few of the soldiers were disappointed to learn only on Friday afternoon where the movie theaters were located at River City Mall.
“We're on lock-down starting at 8:30 tonight,” said Avila. “We're packing up and rolling out at 6:30 or 7 a.m. tomorrow.”
While he spoke, soldiers were dismantling the antennas and equipment set up in tents outside Wright Fieldhouse. The tents housed the operations and communications of the command center.
“During free time we visited the local restaurants and some stores. We also played some basketball,” said Christy.
While he spoke, about eight to 10 soldiers were stretched out on cots around the perimeter of the gym, sleeping in the afternoon heat.
When the troops left Keokuk early Saturday morning, the convoys rolled north. The Cavalry was headed back to Camp Dodge with most soldiers expecting to return home to their families and civilian life that evening.
Keokuk High School resembled a military outpost by Sunday, June 15, the day after the U.S. Army's official 233rd birthday and national Flag Day. Iowa's 113th Cavalry, the 34th Infantry and other units arrived in Keokuk during the first hours of June 15.
Additional soldiers arrived that afternoon, staying at Keokuk Middle School. Keokuk's National Guard Armory also housed visiting troops.
“We were sent out Sunday to the Roquette plant to place sandbags on top of the levee,” said Staff Sgt. Roman Avila Friday afternoon.
Avila and Spc. Joel Hayworth, Pvt. Wade Simmons, Spc. Nathan Hull and Spc. Derek Christy were taking a little down time Friday afternoon at Wright Fieldhouse, their “home” for the past six days.
“We worked eight to 10 hours a day building up the levee all week,” said Avila.
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Building up the flood wall (built after the 1993 flood to protect up to about a 28-foot flood) that protects Roquette kept the river from engulfing Keokuk's sewage treatment plant along the river. A week ago, Keokuk's crest was predicted at 28.2 to 28.6 feet. The Mississippi crested at 26.94 feet on Tuesday here, according to Keokuk Lock and Dam personnel.
National Guard members also initially helped filling sandbags at Keokuk's water treatment plant near Victory Park. That plant was secured to a flood crest of 30 feet by noon Sunday, according to Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew.
“At Roquette, we laid bags. We didn't fill any more,” said Avila.
Roquette employees and volunteers supplied the filled sandbags.
The soldiers were satisfied with their week in uniform in Keokuk.
“We had about 45 troops sleeping here in the gym,” said Avila. “When you have that many bodies in here, during the day it was a little warm, but we turned on the fans and kept the outside door open and the evenings cooled off. It was comfortable.”
When the soldiers had free time, they explored the community either on foot or by Humvee.
“Wendy's was very supportive,” said one of the specialists. “They served us food at no charge.”
Another favorite hangout was Wal-Mart where they rubbed elbows with the locals.
The Maytag laundry facility on Main Street let the National Guard members do their laundry free of charge.
“Everybody was friendly and welcoming. A lot of people told us thanks for coming,” said Avila. “Throughout the week local churches and community members brought us sandwiches, cookies, all kinds of food and drinks. It was very nice.”
A few of the soldiers were disappointed to learn only on Friday afternoon where the movie theaters were located at River City Mall.
“We're on lock-down starting at 8:30 tonight,” said Avila. “We're packing up and rolling out at 6:30 or 7 a.m. tomorrow.”
While he spoke, soldiers were dismantling the antennas and equipment set up in tents outside Wright Fieldhouse. The tents housed the operations and communications of the command center.
“During free time we visited the local restaurants and some stores. We also played some basketball,” said Christy.
While he spoke, about eight to 10 soldiers were stretched out on cots around the perimeter of the gym, sleeping in the afternoon heat.
When the troops left Keokuk early Saturday morning, the convoys rolled north. The Cavalry was headed back to Camp Dodge with most soldiers expecting to return home to their families and civilian life that evening.
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| Flood situation improves; Warsaw bottoms the one exception |
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Melissa Keltner wrote on Jun 23, 2008 4:20 PM: