Mossy Bank Park site of Operation Paul Bunyan
By BRENT WUCHER SPECIAL TO THE COURIER

PHOTO PROVIDED An unidentified soldier saws through a tree during the recent Operation Paul Bunyan in Mossy Bank Park in Bath.

BATH - Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 389th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, made up of drill sergeants and future drill sergeants from units in Webster, Syracuse and Ithaca, converged recently on a hill top park in Bath for a special mission. The assignment was officially named Operation Paul Bunyan. The mission was one of logging over a three-day drill weekend from Sept. 21 to 23 at Mossy Bank Park.

"This mission has been a good mission in a number of ways. We're raising money for our family support, were team building and it's good community relations," said 1st Sergeant Jim Ingerick, E Company from Webster, NY.

The park is also the home of the Ted Markham Nature Center. The park is already a teaching ecosystem for school groups, visitors and the local boy scouts. The impact of the work done at the park will last well after the soldiers leave. The plan is to remove one-third of the trees allowing for natural forest progression. The result will be a learning experience for future visitors to the park.

Now with the thinning of the forest, park goers will see new growth and an abundance of wildlife.

"The area being worked isn't used much as a park, but the trees being removed will benefit the forest by opening the canopy for sunlight to enter and new growth to begin. The area worked is part of the nature center and we have nature trails in the area. We'll put up interpretive signs for school groups," Mossy Bank Committee member Paul Wolfe said. Work performed in 2004 shows the ability of the forest to regenerate.

"A lot the spruce in there are dying and it will allow for the new plant life to come in and allow for better quality trees to grow," said nature center chairman John Wildeman.

The removal of the trees will affect the forest ecosystem for years to come. The immediate benefits will come from the sale of the timber. Funds from the project will be appropriated between the nature center and the soldier's family support. For soldiers that have deployed this is a big bonus.

Family support aids spouses and family members in a number of ways to support the total Army effort. Strong families also allow soldiers to perform their mission.

"Family support funds will go to helping military families while soldiers are deployed. It can be used for a number of special event or purposes," said Major Scott Ward, operations officer in charge for the Battalion.

Ward is also a member of the Mossy Bank Park and Ted Markham Nature Center committees. He oversaw part one of the operation in Janurary to March of 2004 after the project was put up for bid and not a single bid was submitted. The type of salable wood would be minimal compared to the cost if a private concern would have entertained the project.

Even though the mission was not typical, soldiers still found time to do what they do best: train and hone soldier skills. Tasks over the drill weekend included maintaining unit deployment readiness and even some weapon familiarization.

With world affairs not far from their minds, soldiers - even when they are far from their reserve centers - are constantly improving their skills as soldiers.

For some, this weekend also allowed them to do the same job they have in civilian life. Soldiers like Staff Sergeant Matthew Wilson put their skills to work this weekend.

"I'm a tree trimmer for a line (electric lines) company. I'm use to working in tight areas and climbing up trees. It's good to see the money going to family support, supporting the soldiers," said Wilson.

Community support for this operation was key to its success. The Bath Ponderosa worked with our allotments for meals and opened early for breakfast. The Chat-a-Wyle restaurant donated a breakfast meal and coffee and donuts for a "coffee break". The Bath American Legion donated a picnic lunch for the troops. This lunch was solicited by Ret. Major Jerry Gaudino, a former member of the unit. Billy Morris of Morris Logging donated the use of a winch to pull the trees to a site for easy removal. Steuben County Soil and Water allowed the use of their industrial chipper to chop up the limbs and debris. Camp Monterey was contacted and supplied 2 days worth of inmate labor. M. J. Ward & Son supplied labor, fuel, and a tractor to operate the winch. Ken Ward operated the tractor for 2 straight days with one day lasting for 12 hour. MAJ Ward said "without all of this assistance, the mission would not have been successful and it is greatly appreciated".

Mission requirements will dictate any future trips for the battalion to Mossy Bank Park. According to Major Ward, the hope is to continue the partnership between the park and the Army Reserve.