Team Aviano accepts Ecological Day trophy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Hines
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Col. Harry Lane, 31st Mission Support Group commander, accepted the Eco-Templari flag as a trophy on behalf of the winning team for the San Quirino Ecological Day annual clean-up, June 12.

Volunteers from Team Aviano collected more than 350 pounds of debris and trash in the San Qurino community during the clean-up event, which took place March 29.

"Thank you to all of the volunteers who donated their time and energy," said Lane. "The Ecological Day is another way that we recognize our work in complying with international law, being good stewards of our environment and recycling."

The Mayor of San Quirino, Corrado Della Mattia, presented the flag, which is a duplicate of the city's official flag, honoring the long history and heritage of the town. As tradition, the winning team keeps the flag for one year until the next year's winning team is announced.

"As the mayor and on behalf of the consulate, we are very proud of the cooperation that we share with Aviano Air Base and the Ecological Day was very important to our community," said Della Mattia. "Aviano provided a lot of volunteers in this event and of the 140 people who participated, 60 were from the base."

The annual event brings together volunteers from Aviano Air Base and the local communities to include Aviano, Budoia, Fontanafredda and San Quirino, to clean up surrounding towns, recycle and help the environment, while strengthening community relationships.

For more information on recycling in Italy, visit http://www.aviano.af.mil/library/recycling.asp.