Photo By James Smith | Lance Cpl. Efrain Quiles, left, and Lance Cpl. Brandon Seguin, aviation technicians...... read more read more
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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Just outside of town lays a small enclosure that makes up the Lynnwood Park Zoo. Gary Evans, owner and director, does what he can to keep the place looking as good as possible. With the winter season coming in the zoo has closed and it is time to start cleaning to get ready for opening day in March - this season Evans had some additional hands to help.
Twenty-three Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, volunteered their time to clean-up the zoo, Dec. 6.
Having recently returned from a nine-month combat deployment to Afghanistan, the Marines from squadron are now doing what they can to help the local community.
“I was here last year and I identified that this place needed as much help as possible,” said Cpl. Micah Frederick, an aviation technician. “I suggested the idea to my shop and it eventually made its way to the commanding officer. He agreed and said it was a good idea to give back to the community.”
The Marines spent the day helping Evans winterize the zoo by raking leaves to clear the pathways, cutting away fallen branches and small trees, and putting everything into burn piles. It is always beneficial to have a few extra hands, according to Evans.
“We’ve worked with the Single Marine Program before for volunteer opportunities like this, but this time it was the squadron who contacted me,” said Evans. “I’ve had a lot Marines work here and I continue to enjoy working with them because I know if I ask them to do something, it will get done.”
Aside from the maintenance planned for the day, Evans gave the Marines the opportunity to interact with the animals at the zoo. Some chose to feed emus and monkeys, while others had a chance to hold rabbits and a variety of snakes.
Community relations events such as this one can help Marines further themselves in their career, according to Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Rogers, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the avionics division of VMM-261.
“We take this mindset of, ‘every Marine is a rifleman,’ and broaden that to (teach the Marines that they should also be) a character-based Marine,” said Rogers. “This is good character to come out here and support those who are supporting us.”
Even though the Marines assisted with the improvement of the zoo for only four hours, Evans said that the amount of work they accomplished would set the establishment ahead by several weeks.
“With the help from the Marines, it puts us further ahead of the curve and allows us to be able to work more with the animals than the property itself,” said Evans.
Once finished, Evans thanked the Marines by having a small cookout, serving hotdogs and other refreshments for their hard work.
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2014 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 150215 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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