Local organizations feed 350 soldiers Saturday

Soldiers from Fort Leavenworth stopped in Fort Scott Saturday morning for a breakfast provided by McDonald's at the Kennedy Gym. The soldiers were on their way to aid clean-up efforts in Joplin, Mo., after the EF-5 tornado hit May 22.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Thanks to efforts of McDonald's and the Knights of Columbus, Dave Rowland and at least 350 of his fellow Fort Leavenworth community members feasted on a hearty breakfast before heading off to Joplin Saturday to help with tornado clean-up.

Volunteers also received a healthy dose Fort Scott support from community members and veterans before making the 60-mile trip aboard school buses.

U.S. Army Chaplain Maj. Ed Choi said the volunteers were mainly from the Army community and Army families. Youth groups were also involved. The request for people to give of their time was issued about four days before. "And this is the response we got. ... We're working with Americorps in cooperation with the mayor of the city to help clean up debris from the damage caused by the tornado," Choi said.

Local McDonald's owner Mark McCoy provided biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, sausage biscuits, coffee and orange juice and the Knights of Columbus did the serving at the Kennedy Gym.

"Generally, we're there to do what they tell us to do. We think that's going to be separating debris -- wood, metal, trash," Rowland said. "... It's going to be exciting. We have a hot day ahead of us, for sure."

John Gibson said they would be on the ground to do manual labor and noted it was nice to be able to help out during a domestic crisis. "We're just glad we have the opportunity to help," he said.

Choi said helping out in a situation like this is what the Army does best. "They understand the concept of selfless service," he said. "It's a way to serve our neighbors in Joplin, Mo."

Friends and co-workers Sgt. 1st Class Cotifina McCants and Master Sgt. Stacy Johnson both wanted to do something to help the people of Joplin in the wake of the disaster. McCants said she had been telling Johnson they should go June 4. The same day McCants was telling Johnson this, they got the email about volunteering. "What a blessing that is. I feel like it's the least we can do," McCants said.

"I think it's something we both wanted to do," Johnson added.

Both women, like their counterparts, were appreciative of the meal provided in Fort Scott. "I couldn't ask for anything more. They went above and beyond," McCants said. "... You can tell they did this out of love and appreciation."

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison was among those wishing the volunteers well and thanked them for what they were about to do. "I think it's incredible of Mark with McDonald's and the Knights of Columbus to volunteer, not only the food but their service. It's great that when people call we can act upon it," Madison said.

Also among the well-wishers were state Sen. Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott, a former U.S. Marine, Ken Lyon, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, and retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Raymond D. Barrett Jr., who recently spoke at the Memorial Day service at the National Cemetery here.

Lyon, who has seen the devastation in Joplin first hand, said he wanted to be on hand to thank the volunteers for what they would be doing Saturday. Barrett was also one of the volunteers. He said the chaplains at Fort Leavenworth organized the effort. "That's what people are supposed to do is help people," said Barrett, who helped out in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, S.C., in 1989. "Many of us have seen natural disasters . You look at the pictures. It's a lot of people. It's a large town. It's hurting. ... I just think that's what neighbors do."

McCoy said he spoke to Choi about the group coming through town. Choi asked McCoy if he could help with breakfast. "I told him we would be proud to help them with breakfast," McCoy said. Originally, the plan was to have the meal at the McDonald's restaurant in town, but when he learned the number of people coming, Kennedy Gym seemed a better fit.

"This is truly a collaborative effort (between) the Knights of Columbus and McDonald's," McCoy said. "The knights have a strong belief in charity, unity and fraternity, and most importantly, patriotism. These folks taking their time to do this, that's patriotism. It's another state, it's another city (coming together)."