NEWS

ROTC cadets head north to help after historic ice storm

Eight clear debris, restore access to public spaces

Three men in camouflage uniforms carry a large tree limb through the grass. — Three members of CMU's ROTC cadre help clear fallen wood downed during a late March ice storm in northern Michigan.

In a time of need, the citizens of Onaway discovered they could count on one of their own, a cadet in Central Michigan University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

Ian MacDonald, a CMU student from the small town in Presque Isle County, organized and led a group of seven ROTC cadets to help clear debris there from trees and limbs downed by a massive ice storm earlier this spring.

Wood chips spray right to left as a man in camouflage and ear-protecting muffs uses a chainsaw on a downed tree limb. — An adjunct faculty member with CMU's military science and leadership department uses a chainsaw on a downed tree limb near Onaway.

"It was an honor to give back to the community that has given me so much,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald’s group traveled to Onaway in mid-April to help residents return to their homes and clear debris. Their work helped restore public access to cemeteries, churches and parks.

The work started before the cadets arrived in Onaway.

MacDonald planned and organized the trip with the help of Lt. Col. Ryan Greening and Maj. Nicholas Andrychowski, adjunct faculty members in CMU’s Department of Military Science and Leadership. He figured out how many cadets they’d need, and the necessary equipment and safety measures.

The March 28-30 storm paralyzed much of the northern Lower Peninsula for days. An estimate 3 million acres of forest was damaged.

"It's our duty to serve the community, especially in times of need," he said. "Being able to help our fellow Michiganders recover from this storm is an honor."