LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
Along a well-traveled stretch of Magruder Boulevard Saturday, a few troops were picking up Ford tailgates -- well at least one.
Members of the 1st Component Maintenance Squadron have participated in the “Adopt-A-Spot” program in Hampton for two years, taking care of little less than a quarter-mile length along Magruder on the north side of Semple Farm Road.
They come out about once a month, carrying large yellow trashbags, wearing bright orange vests and using long “grippers” to pick up trash along the highway.
Hampton Mayor Ross Kearney recently acknowledged their hard work by giving the maintainers the “Extra Mile Award” for cleaning their adopted spot more than six times in 2005.
“We get five full trashbags easily,” said Tech. Sgt. Charles Nordon, hydraulics assistant section chief. “About 100 pounds of trash.”
Even though a cold wind was biting on Saturday morning, at least five folks came out to help clean up the area.
“It’s a good program,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Ashcraft, the hydraulics section chief. “We give back to the community for their support of the military. It’s rewarding when you’re off base in uniform and people will approach you to thank you for your service. This is our way of giving back.”
Tech. Sgt. Thomas Henschel agreed. “I just like having an Air Force presence in the community,” he said. “It’s good for us to be stewards of the community and an example for our families.”
Even outside of their altruistic motivations, they still find a simply easy reason to come.
“There’s nothing fun about picking up trash,” said Sergeant Nordon. “But it is an opportunity to socialize.”