Grissom celebrates Arbor Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs

There’s an old saying that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and with that in mind shovels were lifted and the dirt was turned.

Civilians and Airmen from Grissom gathered here today during an Arbor Day celebration to plant a Kwanzan Cherry tree dedicated to the principals of the Arbor Day Foundation.

Each year Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April. Its celebration provides an opportunity to learn about trees and take positive action to make the world a better place.

“Coming to work at Grissom with its beautiful tree lined campus, walkways and roads uplifts us and provides a scenic and serene work environment,” said Col. Scott Russell, 434th Mission Support Group commander. “Our dedication has helped us be named tree city by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 15 years in a row; we’ve done so by planting nearly 4,000 trees over the last 15 years.”

The Kwanzan Cherry tree planted is a flowering, fast growing tree that has a dark multilayered flower resembling a small rose.

“We hope that as [the Kwanzan Cherry tree] matures its beauty will be recognized by members of team Grissom, and it will add to our legacy of being environmentally friendly and dedicated to the principles of the Arbor Day Foundation," added Russell. 

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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