Sheppard volunteers clean up Lake Texoma's shoreline

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  There were 11 Sheppard members who broke from their daily routine as they traversed along the beach of Lake Texoma, picking up litter exposed by the low water levels, April 22.

The clean-up at Lake Texoma was part of Sheppard's participation in Earth Day. Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental preservation and protection.

"We usually just hand out flyers for Earth Day," said Leslie Peña, 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron. "This year we wanted to do something different."

A variety of participants showed up for the clean-up ready to do their part. The volunteers headed to the Sheppard Recreation Annex in the early morning to begin the clean-up that would not only help the environment, but prevent swimmers from stepping on dangerous objects that will be unseen when that water level rises.

Helping out was one of the many reasons why people volunteered.

"I enjoy doing this type of outdoor work," said Robert Whitney, Non Commissioned Officer Academy instructor.

"I just wanted to do something good for the environment," said Rebecca Gorman, 82nd CES. As the day progressed, the bags, filled to the top with trash and debris, started to grow immensely in number, showing just how much trash was on the beaches.

"It needed cleaning, people forget to clean up after themselves," Peña said. A total of 10 tires were pulled from the beach around the lake, along with countless glass bottles and rusted fish hooks. Water jugs and fishing line were tangled in the rocks, halfway buried under the sand. The difference made from the debris removal could be seen from everywhere along the beach.

"It was the perfect opportunity to pick up trash since the water level is so low," said Peña. "Swimmers on the beach are free from danger. No rope to get tangled on and no glass to cut their feet on."

For more information about the Air Force and Earth Day visit http://www.afcec.af.mil/news/earthday2014/