MJO
Story and photos by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, UPAHR 1/623rd FA
[caption id="attachment_3848" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Graduates of Area 6, Recruit Sustainment Program team up with Glasgow Recreation Department and community leaders at Beaver Trail Complex in Glasgow, Ky., for the inaugural Guard the Environment day. The Soldiers teamed up with the local community for a service to beautify Beaver Trail Complex – an area jointly used by the represented organizations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe/ Kentucky Army National Guard)"]
GLASGOW, Ky. (November 04, 2010)- As the recently graduated recruits of Area 6 Recruit Sustainment Program assembled in formation Oct. 23, they were presented with their next immediate mission: support the local community in an environmental project.
The young Soldiers faced and conquered the task, just like their completion of Basic Advanced Individual Training.
The Soldiers teamed up with the Glasgow Recreational Department, Civic and Community leaders, to strengthen an already strong bond between the local units and the communities in which they are a part of.
The Citizen-Soldiers and community representatives worked together as a single unit, to help make the community better by cleaning up Beaver Trail Complex, a local park.
[caption id="attachment_3849" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Kentucky National Guard Spc. Devon Wood and Pvt. Justin Lindsey pick up trash alongside a fence at the Beaver Trail Complex in Glasgow, Ky., Oct. 23. The new Kentucky Guard Soldiers participated in the inaugural Guard the Environment, where Guardsmen nation-wide helped clean up local community areas. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe/ Kentucky Army National Guard)"]
With trash bags in hand and the appropriate hand protection on, the Soldiers infiltrated the park, clearing it of all foreign debris and objects. The crew picked up eight 55-gallon trash bags of litter on a mere 40-acre complex. Barren County Judge Executive Davie Greer said she really respects and admires what the young Guardsmen did for the community.
“The relationship that the National Guard and the local community has is one that is deep rooted and genuine,” she said.
“Most of these Soldiers come from families that we see at the grocery store and the ball parks on a regular basis, they truly represent Hometown Heroes,” she said. “This is just one more display of the unity that we have.”
Glasgow Mayor Darrell Pickett, a former member of the 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery in Glasgow, Ky., expressed his deep gratitude and respect for what the RSP unit accomplished.
“This unit has always been good to the community and has never hesitated to support any request that we have made to them, when in time of need,” he said.
“This event today is a fine representation of the cohesion that we have with each other,” he said. “By demonstrating to these fine, young Soldiers that this is the type of relationship that we have, it secures our prosperous future together. This is truly a win-win for all involved."