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U.S. Marine Corps Reserves of Battle Creek, Michigan

TAHLEQUAH, OK - It's not exactly the halls of Montezuma, but the United States Marines can turn up in some unlikely places. For instance, on the business end of a bulldozer, building a road in cooperation with the Cherokee Nation.

Throughout June, two groups of Marine reserves, the Marine Corps Reserve of Battle Creek Michigan with Bridge Company Alpha and the Engineer Support Company 6th Engineer Support Battalion 4th Force Service Support Group, came to the Cherokee Nation to work on a road project in Tahlequah and on the Starkiller Hollow water line project in Adair County. The Marines are part of engineering units and the work is part of their training.

"In the past we have done these projects at one of our training sites or in foreign countries", said Captain Rob Corl. "By working with the Cherokee Nation, we are able to get our training and help communities at the same time."

"We are always looking for ways to work together with other governments to serve the Cherokee people", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief. "By working with the Marines, we are able to stretch our service dollars farther."

The Cherokee Nation provided the materials for the projects and the Marines provided the labor. The Marines leased their equipment locally.

"It would've cost us $100,000 to ship our own machinery up here, and we were able to lease it for a month for just $52,000", Corl said. "Doing it this way meant that we were able to save money and contribute to the local economy."

"We've got everybody from heavy equipment operators to advertising agents working on this", Corl said of his reserve unit.

"The Cherokee Nation is the most successful organization that we have dealt with when it comes to getting started and getting the government involved in this type of deal", said Captain Brian Fetzer. "We hope to do a similar project here next year as well."