Freedom Wing Airmen clean N.J. state highway, make community beautiful

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan E. White
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS, N.J. --  Fifteen members from the 514th Airman's Council collected trash and debris along New Jersey Route 68 as part of the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Clean Communities Council's Adopt-A-Highway program.

The 514th Airman's Council was created by lower-enlisted Airmen of the 514th Civil Engineering Squadron. The council's mission is to instill Air Force core values, promote good character, offer volunteer opportunities, and encourage professional military education and increased presence in unit activities.

The Adopt-A-Highway program is a comprehensive, statewide, volunteer program created by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to encourage volunteers to clean and maintain state highways.
"The idea was brought about through an Airman's council meeting brainstorming session on how we could get out in the community to promote and shed a positive light on our unit, wing, base and the United States Air Force," Senior Airman Joel Allen, 514th Airman's Council President and Volunteering & Activities Coordinator said.

The council's first step was setting up an agreement with New Jersey Clean Communities. Next, the council chose which highway to clean. Then, Master Corporal Michael Ross, Ocean City Corrections community work program coordinator & Clean Communities safety trainer, provided training on safety procedures. Once these steps were completed, the council was now prepared to accomplish its task.

Council members divided into teams in order to cover both sides of the highway. Teamwork was important because it allowed council members to perform the clean-up in a safely and timely manner, said Senior Airman Catalina Gaviria Garcia. "I think everyone of us picking up trash today will think twice about littering," she said.

Although this was the council's first time participating in the program, it appears it will not be the council's last. The highway is slated to be cleaned two to four times a year with March 2015 as the next cleaning date. The presence of Airmen performing community service had a positive and lasting effect.

"Many people passed by, waved, honked their horns and even thanked us for our service, which was a morale booster," said Allen. "All members of the Airman's Council and members of the 514th CES embody the United States Air Force core value of service before self. Giving one's time, energy and effort for a cause beyond one's self is what the Air Force and the military are all about."