97 LRS Aerial Ops maintains Habitat for Humanity support

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Airmen from the 97th LRS Aerial Operations Flight meet mission requirements day in and day out and are continuously striving for excellence, and somehow, as a team, they still manage to find time to maintain their ongoing support for Habitat for Humanity.

Aerial Ops has dutifully sustained the appearance of the 519 West Hardy lot in Altus, Okla., for the second consecutive year and is currently working on their third. On average, more than 20 volunteers help with the clean-up.

"I believe the Air Force strives to make us better individuals as a whole and adopting this lot provides the Aerial Operations Flight the opportunity to make a positive impact," said Staff Sgt. Lydia Harvey, 97 LRS Aerial Operations Flight and event point of contact. "The Altus community has welcomed each and every one of us upon assignment to this location, and this is just a small way we can give back to the community. Efforts like this are the least we can do to maintain the strong ties we have developed as a team.

For almost an hour, twice per month, the Aerial Ops volunteers share the load of yard duties such as mowing, weed eating, and debris and trash pick-up on the 50-by-140 foot lot. Not only do the Airmen invest their time, they use the necessary equipment from their own homes to get the job done.

"I believe that taking care of this lot strengthens camaraderie amongst our ranks, fosters team work and serves as a call to action for individuals that are not involved yet," she said. "Our selfless commitment to [Habitat for Humanity] will continue for years to come, we have a strong will to serve and succeed."

According to www.habitat.org, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, and their goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses around the world, providing more than a million people in more than 3,000 communities with affordable housing.

"We have a motto 'Always Out Front'; we strive every day to overcome obstacles and persevere thru life's challenges both on and off duty," Sergeant Harvey said. "We have all committed to serving our country for a period of time, which entails more than reporting for duty on a daily basis, for us, it also calls for serving our fellow Americans in pursuit of the American dream."