Return to the "POINTER VIEW"April 27, 2001
Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
April 27, 2001
By Pvt. 2 Nate
Jastrzemski
Staff Writer
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| Pfc. Chris Almanzar uses a leaf blower to clear leaves from the rock face near South Dock. |
Spring has sprung and when that happens it’s time for spring cleaning at West Point.
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| A member of the U.S. Military Academy’s Engineer Platoon, Sgt. Eric Davis tosses a bundle of sticks into the back of a dumptruck. Soldiers and USMA Department of Housing and Public Works civilians worked together to give the academy its annual spring cleaning "spruce up." |
Soldiers and employees of the U.S. Military Academy’s Department of Housing and Public Works were busy all last week repairing areas and buildings damaged during winter, but the majority of the community came out in force April 20 to take part in a "leaves and debris removal" mission.
This yearly ritual, said Master Sgt. Gregorio Gonzalez, noncommissioned officer in charge of the USMA garrison commander’s office, is in preparation for summer and the expected increase in visitors to the academy.
"The goal is to have the installation in top shape for the upcoming tourist season," he explained. "That’s when we can expect numerous visitors ranging from friends and family members to national and foreign dignitaries."
But the spring cleanup also generates more than a spruced-up appearance, Gonzalez added. It generates a feeling of camaraderie and teamwork in the community.
"This is a chance for U.S. Military Academy residents and employees to work together as a community to accomplish a wide variety of projects in and around public buildings, housing areas and outlying sections," he said.
Leon Grable, a DHPW equipment operator who coordinated the clean-up efforts this year, also stressed how important the proper maintenance of the grounds at West Point is for the environment. He explained that DHPW is providing six vacuum trucks and four large leaf blowers to support the spring cleanup mission.
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| Soldiers from the U.S. Military Academy’s Engineer Platoon rake leaves and pick up trash on Williams Road April 19. |
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| Sergeants Eric Davis and Leonard Galvan clear dead branches from the woodline and throw them into the waiting dumptruck. |
"If we don’t keep the turf up to a high standard, the leaves here would damage the grass and lawns -- it would be impossible to grow a lawn out with leaves and trash building up," he said. "The grounds wouldn’t be healthy anymore."
