Airmen, civilians roll up sleeves, clean streets of Aviano

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  More than 300 Aviano Airmen and civilians donned their reflective vests and gloves March 22, teaming up with members of the local Aviano community to cleanse Aviano's streets of trash and debris.

The effort was part of the annual Aviano Ecological Day event in which the base has been a participant for the last five years.

"This is a great event in that it shows the Aviano community that the men and women of Aviano Air Base consider the city their community too and that what is important to them is important to us," said Kurt Aktansel, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron engineer and Aviano Ecological Day base support coordinator. "My hope is that the volunteers take this effort and carry it back to their own neighborhoods both in Italy and in the states. I think it's a great camaraderie between neighbors and its helping the environment at the same time."

Armed with more than double the amount of base volunteers from previous years, participants were divided into various 7 kilometer routes throughout the city. In all, participants filled hundreds of trash bags with everything from bottles, paper, plastic containers and wrappers to cigarette butts, cans and even a tire or two.

"Volunteers probably gathered about 800 cubic feet worth of trash by the end of the day," said Mr. Aktansel.

Patrick Keena, husband of Capt. Lisa Keena of the 31st Operations Support Squadron, brought their two children, Cory and Taylor, to help clean the streets of Aviano for a second year in a row.

"I thought this was a great way for us to get involved with the Aviano community and show them we care," said Mr. Keena. "Plus, it's important to keep the community clean. We all had a good time."

Once the volunteers were finished their routes, everyone gathered near the town center for a hot meal that included pasta, meat, sauerkraut with sausage and more.

"It was a nice way to end the day," said Mr. Keena.

Those interested in participating in a similar event, April 4, can sign up through Mr. Aktansel now through March 27 to clean the streets of San Quirino, Italy. The event begins in the morning and commences at noon with a free lunch provided by the San Quirino commune.

To sign up or for more information, call Mr. Aktansel at 632-5394.