Rally: CE troops work to aid deployed spouse

  • Published
  • By Elizabeth McClain
  • 90th Civil Engineer Squadron
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Christina Tucker's husband deployed in July. 

While he was gone, Tech. Sgt. James Lopez, 90th Civil Engineer deployed spouse support liaison, has been looking after the Tucker family. 

Sergeant Lopez soon learned the family's second-floor water heater flooded the house while they were sleeping. The water damaged the floors and collapsed the garage's ceiling and insulation. Both of their son's bedrooms are directly above the garage. With winter approaching and the damage to the insulation, the temperature in the children's rooms dropped at night. 

After hearing Mrs. Tucker, along with her 17-year-old son, was attempting to make the repairs. Sergeant Lopez said, "No way you're doing this on your own; you need help."
The next morning, he sent an e-mail asking help from some civil engineers. About 15 people responded. The volunteers met at Mrs. Tucker's house at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and began working. 

Staff Sgt. Jarrad Cutshall took charge of the helping effort. 

"Sergeant Cutshall, upon arrival, assessed the situation and asserted his leadership over what he describes as 20 inexperienced 'do-gooders,'" said Jim Keller, a volunteer. 
"He turned the crew into an effective team and led them to successful job accomplishment. 

"Effectively directing the efforts of all involved, his personal craftsmanship earmarked every facet of the project -- his signature is on every detail," he said. 

According to Sergeant Lopez, the crew installed the fiberglass insulation and prepped everything for the dry wall. At around 9 p.m., all of the sheetrock was installed, and more than half of the crew had left for the evening. 

Sergeant Cutshall stayed to mud and tape the walls. Soon afterward, the job was complete, and the remaining volunteers left Mrs. Tucker with tears of joy and a new garage ceiling -- done in a high quality fashion within local building standards.
Sergeant Lopez said they also prepped and started the heat, a timely repair at the advent of cold weather.