22 awards given at annual ceremony

Mac Drake was not the typical enlistee when he signed on to serve his country last fall and was subsequently deployed to Iraq in October. The 57-year-old Port Gibson native had no military experience, and had most recently owned and operated a gas station for 11 years in his hometown. Regardless, Drake has excelled in his work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq, said Vicksburg District Commander Col. Mike Wehr, and serves an example that it’s never too late to serve.

“Mac is not an engineer by trade. We got a guy here who is, as they say, off the street, but the fact is that he has phenomenal talents that we can use in our efforts in Iraq, and we appreciate all he is doing,” said Wehr while introducing Drake as a guest speaker at the Corps annual awards ceremony Tuesday.

Drake was home on his first break from work in Iraq. He deployed once again Friday, and will probably return home on another break around Christmas. In Iraq, he is a construction inspector on a wide range of construction and infrastructure projects in the South District of the Corps’ Gulf Region Division. Included among the projects are a $6.6 million courthouse, $5 million maternity hospital and $7 million vo-tech college in Babil Province, about 60 miles south of Baghdad.

Drake said the work is rewarding beyond his expectations, and is looking forward to returning.

“You hear a lot of negative things in the media about Iraq, but it’s amazing how many good things are also going on,” he said. “The people there appreciate the work we’re doing. It makes me feel good to know our country is making some real progress in Iraq, and to be able to be a part of it.”

Much of his work in Iraq is done from an office, but Drake has to leave the base regularly to conduct inspections. The job is dangerous and the Corps takes the dangers very seriously.

“It’s like I’m the president or something. I’ve got armed guards on both sides and they put me in full body armor,” he said of the inspection trips. “I’ve had some close calls, but nothing too close.”

Still, Drake said he plans on serving in the Corps in Iraq for the next six years despite the fact he has an option every 13 months to re-enlist.

“It’s been an excellent experience – like nothing I’ve ever done before,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to serve the country. I missed the chance after high school and went to college instead. I just didn’t do it. Now I’m doing it. And you’d be surprised, I’m not even the oldest guy over there.”

The awardsGiven Tuesday at the Corps’ annual awards ceremony:Vicksburg District Team Award – Yazoo Backwater Reformulation Team, including Ken Parrish, Mike Renacker, Dette Vedros and Arletha RossWage Grade Team Employee of the Year – Jimmy I. Irons, Operations DivisionTeam Safety Award – DeGray Lake Park ranger staff, including Jody Dvorak, Stacy Sigman, Brian Westfall, Jeffrey Lockwood, Linda Spradlin, Luke Benjamin, Renea Guin, Darrell Mitchell, Luke Nivens, Steve Rodgers, Clarence Wooten, David Chitwook, Rick Kennedy, Michelle Parker and James TealCommander’s Public Service Award – Water control section of Engineering and Construction Division, including Robert Simrall, Wayland Hill, Tim Rodgers, Charlie McKinnie, Norma Walker, Mark Richter, Terry Temple, Ronny Branan and Michael WarrenVicksburg District Leadership Award – Jacob G. Brister, Planning, Programs and Project Management.Wage Grade Leadership Award – Billy Williams, Operations DivisionEngineer Award – Benjamin S. Caldwell, Engineering and Construction DivisionScientist Award – Damon C. Blakely, Operations DivisionCraftsman Award – Jerry L. Montgomery, Operations DivisionProfessional Award – Patricia J. Lang, Resource ManagementAdministrator Award – Cynthia R. Mathes, Planning, Programs and Project ManagementRobert L. (Stoney) Burke Boss of the Year Award – Michael A Turner, Engineering and Construction DivisionSafety, Integrity and Respect Award – Arkabutla Lake’s Physically Challenged Hunt Team, Operations Division, including ranger Danny GrahamStudent of the Year Award – David W. Carraway, Operations DivisionWoman of the Year Award – Holly G. Porter, Planning Programs and Project Management DivisionCommander’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Equal Employment Opportunity – Daniel A. Johnson, Planning, Programs and Project Management DivisionPublic Affairs Commander’s Award for Community Service – Arthur S. Hoff, Operations Division, Grenada LakeCommander’s Award for Support to the Public Affairs – Robert Simrall, Engineering and Construction DivisionCommander’s Award for Public Service – Ron R. CopelandCommander’s Award for Civilian Service – Ron C. Goldman and Robert B. StubbsSuperior Civilian Service Award – John B. SmithCertificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service – Malcolm L. Dove and Mike J. Trawle