Photo By Cpl. Daniel Wulz | Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen work on a new concrete walkway for the wounded...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Within the military, it is said that service members look out for their own. In combat, brothers and sisters in arms have given life and limb for one another countless times throughout the history of our nation’s military.
On Aug. 20, those service members who gave more than asked to got a little in return as volunteers from all branches came together and poured a concrete walkway outside the wounded warrior barracks aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province.
Until now the wounded warrior living area has had the same temporary walkway surrounding most buildings on base, a plastic, sectioned material with two-inch square holes. The surface resembles the bottom of a milk crate and provides traction for pedestrians, but isn’t nearly as suitable for someone who needs crutches to walk.
“These are the [men and women] who protect my family and ensure the freedom of our country,” said Senior Airman Randall Mathis, an equipment operator, with 809th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, and a native of Marianna, Fla. “It breaks my heart to see them trying to walk around on the gravel or eco-matting, wounded or on crutches.”
The project itself did not come together on its own. It required the cooperation of many moving parts, units and volunteers, ultimately organized by Cpl. David Boswell, operations non-commissioned officer with the base’s Camp Commandant, and airmen of the 809th Red Horse Squadron.
“It’s an honor to work on this project,” said Mathis. “Being in the Air Force, I don’t really get the chance to go outside of the wire and do great things. It is great to be able to do this for the wounded warriors.”
Boswell started the project, Aug. 15, by getting in touch with RED HORSE Sqdn. and discussing logistics. The following day, RED HORSE contacted Boswell, agreed to participate in the event, and, by Thursday, they were at the site laying the groundwork for the concrete pouring.
The concrete itself was brought in by Regional Command Southwest’s engineer section.
The project would have taken approximately 435, 80 pound bags, which had to be hand mixed, to complete, had it not been for the engineers and civilian contractors, according to Boswell, a Kennesaw, Ga., Native.
“It was a collaborative effort through everyone, all of the stars aligned for this project,” said Master Sgt. Gregory P. Zenoni, logistics chief, with Medical Support Battalion. “Everybody knew that this had to get done, it was really cool how everyone came together to do it.”
“We really do take care of our own across the board,” Boswell added.
The concrete was poured and the walkway completely finished only a few hours after the volunteers started working. The pathway built for heroes was dry by the following morning.
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.24.2011 10:37 |
| Story ID: | 75834 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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