COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP EVENT

Photo By Staff Sgt. Solomon Abanda | Paratroopers of 2-504th cleaning the city of Fayetteville after hurricane Florence  

NC, UNITED STATES

10.17.2018

Story by Sgt. Solomon Abanda 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

Approximately 600 paratroopers and family members of the 2-504th, Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division teamed up with Fayetteville Beautiful for a city-wide cleanup project in Fayetteville, North Carolina Oct. 12, 2018. The paratroopers helped by spreading mulch, painting flowerpots and cleaning various portions of the Cape Fear River Trail in an effort to restore these areas after hurricane Florence.
“A community gives us a sense of belonging and the feeling of belonging to something” said Lt Col. Kwenton Kuhlman, commander of 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. “As soldiers, we belong to the military community and we also belong to the greater Fayetteville community.”
Kuhlman said, the Paratroopers were honored to show their leadership abilities through volunteer service as they gave back to a community which had given them so much. Kuhlman attended the funeral ceremony last year of two Paratroopers of the battalion who were killed in action, Sgt. Jonathan Hunter and Spc. Christopher Harris and noticed the number of civic leaders from the city of Fayetteville who came out to pay their tribute.
Kuhlman said, he saw how the city of Fayetteville placed their arms around the gold star family members in support. It was then Kuhlman realized in difficult times, Paratroopers see and feel a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves, being part of a bigger community.


The effects of hurricane Florence can be seen around the city and its people. Ms. Mariah Fereal, an independent spoken word artist, who resides in downtown Fayetteville said her tent which was her only home was swept way and she couldn’t find it after the hurricane. Despite her circumstances, Ferael says she is grateful to see Soldiers volunteering their time to clean up the city.
“Soldiers are always there when we need them and are always willing to lend a helping hand.” said Fereal.
Cpt. Brandon Max Smith, an intelligence officer for 2-504th described a spirit of servitude as something that comes naturally to Paratroopers.
“As an all-volunteer force, we encourage paratroopers to volunteer in the community,” said Smith. “Selfless service is one of the Army values which we practice each and every day as Soldiers in the United States Army, especially here in the 82nd Airborne Division.”
Smith said, giving back is something that leaders emphasize here in the 82nd. We make sure we give paratroopers time to not only spend with their family, but also so they can give back to the community. This act of service can be seen in paratroopers like Spc. Victor Martinez, a motor transport operator with the 2-504th who enjoys giving back because his family was also affected by the hurricane, and volunteers stepped in to help his family in a time of need said Smith.

Kuhlman said, the white devils battalion is committed to building good leaders who are not only paratroopers, but leaders who are better citizens willing to serve their country and local community.
“The city of Fayetteville has always supported our military community” said Kuhlman. “Coming out to clean and restore the city is the least we can do to give back to Fayetteville in its time of need.”

• Date Taken: 10.17.2018
• Date Posted: 01.23.2019 11:25
• Story ID: 296706
• Location: NC, US