2023 Fort McCoy Arbor Day Observance Opening Ceremony

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

04.28.2023

Audio by Scott Sturkol                                                                                        

Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

Here's an audio clip of the opening of Fort McCoy's 2023 Arbor Day Observance on April 28, 2023, next to building 102 at the installation. Hear Forester Charles Mentzel give opening remarks followed by Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Messenger providing more discussion, and cheers, for Arbor Day. According to history.com, the origins of Arbor Day dates to the early 1870s in Nebraska City, Neb. A journalist by the name of Julius Sterling Morton moved to the state with his wife, Caroline, in 1854. The couple purchased 160 acres in Nebraska City and planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs in what was a primarily a flat stretch of desolate plain. Morton later became editor of the state’s first newspaper, Nebraska City News, which became a platform for Morton to spread his knowledge of trees and to stress their ecological importance within Nebraska. On Jan. 7, 1872, Morton proposed a day that would encourage all Nebraskans to plant trees in their community. An agriculture board agreed, and Arbor Day was born. The first Arbor Day was held April 10, 1872. The tradition spread quickly. Within 20 years, Arbor Day had reached a large swath of the nation and was celebrated in every state except for Delaware. It wasn’t until 1970, however, that Arbor Day became recognized nationwide, thanks to President Richard Nixon. This move was in line with other environmentally friendly actions taken by Nixon in the 1970s, including the passing of the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Protection Act, and more. (U.S. Army Audio by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)

• Date Taken: 04.28.2023
• Date Posted: 05.01.2023 13:49
• Category: Newscasts
• Audio ID: 73977
• Filename: 2305/DOD_109608882.mp3
• Length: 00:04:19
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US