FORT CARSON, Colo. – Spring was not in the air as the temperature hit 28 degrees and the light rain slowly turned into snow, but the soldiers with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, braved the weather during the post clean up in Arapaho Village April 17, 2013.
“We are all out here to help the moral of the community,” said 1st Lt. Chatlin Magee, the assistant taskings officer for 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “The weather isn’t the best for it, but that doesn’t matter; we still want to be here to get this area looking good.”
Soldiers who lived in the area as well as volunteers came together to pick up garbage, perform lawn maintenance and make small repairs to window screens and fences.
“It means a lot for the soldiers to come out and help because not one person can do everything by themselves,” said Aubrey Guillotte, Arapaho Village mayor.
The soldiers began the day by forming a line and walking through the neighborhood picking up every piece of garbage they came across.
“It’s going to feel good coming home and seeing everything look clean and nice,” said resident, Pvt. Darin Stevens, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th Brigade Support Battalion.
Around noon the snow became very heavy and soldiers were released to go back to their living quarters.
“With the snow and the cold temperatures, being outside just got too dangerous and we decided to release soldiers to work in their own yards that way they can judge if they are getting too cold and can go inside and warm up,” Magee said.
Although the day was cut short, soldiers enjoyed the opportunity to help out the community.
“It feels good knowing soldiers are taking pride in their area,” said volunteer, Sgt. Casey Thomas, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Company B, 204th BSB.
Fort Carson organizes post clean ups twice yearly in the spring and fall.