Maxwell honors Arbor Day with help from Girl Scouts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexa Culbert
  • 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Girl Scouts from the Montgomery Area Troop 9165 assist with the base’s Arbor Day celebration by planting a tree, Saturday. 

Aria Keeler, a Girl Scout Brownie, and Chloe Minnifield, a Girl Scout Blue Daisy, played their part in the ceremony by standing up and reciting the Girl Scout Law and Promise, an agreement concerning how members should treat one another, and the environment around them. The girls also presented “tree-mendous” facts on the importance of trees within our ecosystem.

During the formal portion of the event, Col. Donald Lewis, 42nd Mission Support Group commander, read the Arbor Day Proclamation, and encouraged all military and civilian base personnel to support environmental efforts. He urged Crusaders to create a lasting legacy and to promote the welfare for present and future generations at Maxwell.

Continuing its trend in conservation, the base received its 24th consecutive year’s award as a Tree City USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program. To be eligible for the award, four standards must be met: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Will Liner, Alabama Forestry Commission Urban Forestry Coordinator, said the Arbor Day program provides a framework on how to take care of our resources and the long-time participation from Maxwell is well appreciated.

In closing remarks, Lewis, an on base resident, said the beauty of Maxwell comes from the trees and the care that is given to the natural aspects of the base.

Before dispersing to plant six new crepe myrtle trees in Air Park, Lewis saluted Keeler and Minnifield for their participation in the day’s ceremony, telling them that there are many ways to serve your country, and they had done a great service to their troop and to Maxwell.