Soldiers help 'Guard the Environment'

About 100 Soldiers from the St. Joseph and Kansas City Recruit Sustainment Programs lined up along Woodbine Rd. Saturday evening to participate in the nation-wide "Guard the Environment" program. Troops picked up trash along the highly traveled road in an effort to keep the community they are a part of clean. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - As part of the nation-wide Guard the Environment program, Missouri Army National Guard Soldiers pitched in Saturday, Oct. 23 to help better their community. This grassroots effort is designed to demonstrate how the National Guard cares about environmental protection and beautification within the communities the Soldiers serve in.

"By participating in 'Guard the Environment,' we hope to educate these new Soldiers on how to be positive influences when it comes to their environment," said Master Sgt. Rodney McKinney, Area 1 Recruiting and Retention noncommissioned officer in charge. "It's the National Guard's mission to train leaders on the battlefield, as well in their communities. As Guardsmen we want to give back to neighborhoods and areas we live and serve in."

Across Missouri and the nation, National Guard units organized "green" activities. Locally, Area 1 and Area 2 Recruit Sustainment Programs based in St. Joseph and Kansas City conducted clean-up efforts along Woodbine Rd. Nearly 100 Soldiers from both areas were on hand to do their part.

About 339 Army National Guard RSP units across the country participated in their own environmentally-friendly activities in their respective communities.

"We want to build strong ties within our communities and do our part to help out," said McKinney. "Every little bit helps."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.