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Name on the Mailbox: Airmen clean up their home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachiah Roberson
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  More than 40 Airmen here volunteered their time to help in the re-landscaping of Barnes Hall, the base's largest dormitory living quarters.

The two-week project began Sept. 4 and volunteer Airmen joined six NCOs who oversaw the project.

"We want to improve the overall quality of life in the dorms," said Airman 1st Class Helen Solis, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron passenger service agent. "Most people don't want to live in a dirty place so that is why this work is important."

Using just basic tools and two compact track loaders, the volunteers cleaned rocks, trimmed trees and removed shrubbery.

"The plan was to make Barnes Hall look more respectable so everyone here as well as guests to the base can see how much the Airmen here care about their base," said Staff Sgt. Sheldon Hanson-Molina, of the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron.

The volunteer efforts helped save dorm sustainment funds.

Now in the final days of the project, the perimeter of Barnes Hall has a cleaner look that it was previously lacking.

"Since Airmen worked so hard on the dorms, then maybe they will be inclined to keep it in fine condition," said Chief Master Sgt. Chris Crafton, chief enlisted manager for the 319th CES. "If we have contractors doing this then Airmen won't really feel the need to keep their homes clean.

"This is a great improvement to the quality of life on Grand Forks AFB, and should instill a sense of pride and ownership among the dorm residents," said Crafton.