Hancock Field Members Participate in Earth Day Clean-up

Published April 28, 2014
By Senior Airman Duane Morgan
174th Attack Wing

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Syracuse, NY. -- Members of the 174th Attack Wing took part in Earth Day clean up here on 22 April 2014.

Two groups of airmen donned orange safety vests and blue latex gloves then proceeded to pick up any and every piece of trash from right outside the base entrance to both ends of E. Molloy Road.

"This is a good use of time as we will not only take care of our property but also demonstrate to the public that we are a responsible, community orientated organization," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Watling, 174th Attack Wing Civil Engineering Superintendent.

Earth Day is an event held annually that is celebrated on April 22. Each year on this day events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, and is now celebrated in over 192 countries yearly.

The very first Earth Day had participants in over 2,000 colleges and universities, almost 10,000 primary schools, secondary schools and hundreds of communities spread across the US. It also brought 20 million Americans out for peaceful demonstrations in favor of environmental reform.

"Excellence shouldn't halt at our daily jobs, but should extend to our environment," said Scott Russell, a civilian contractor with the 174th Attack Wing Civil Engineer Squadron. "Reduce, reuse and recycle. These attributes are woven through our daily efforts to practice an efficient solid waste management program."

Russell said the clean-up was an effort to show respect for the environment.

"We are all grateful to be a part of a global effort to better out planet," said Russell