Illinois Army National Guard Recruits 'Guard the Environment' Across the State

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Company D of the Recruit Sustainment Program of Aurora, stops for a picture after cleaning up along the Fox River Oct. 23.

AURORA, IL (10/26/2010)(readMedia)-- Roughly 35 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers had the chance to give back to their community Oct. 23. Company D of the Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) in Aurora, participated in an area beautification community service project near the Prisco Community Center in Aurora.

This event was part of the nationwide 'Guard the Environment' project. Fox River was one of roughly 15 locations throughout the state where RSP units held area cleanups.

The 'Guard the Environment' project is a step in the green direction, as Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard do their part to keep their local communities clean.

The Soldiers picked up trash and recyclables washed up on the banks of the Fox River. They walked both banks of the river, from the Illinois Avenue Island Park to the Hollywood Casino of Aurora. During the afternoon clean up, the Soldiers received honks and cheers of appreciation from passing motorists.

Debbie Smith, the community outreach manager for the Fox Valley Park District, was also present for the cleanup. She worked with Company D to organize the area beautification.

"I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the park district to partner up with the community and the National Guard, and I just think it is great," Smith said. "We are very appreciative of groups coming out and helping."

Company D is part of the RSP under the Illinois Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Command. The RSP's mission is to prepare newly enlisted soldiers for the Army's Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training schools. RSP teaches these Soldiers some basic soldiering skills and gives them an advantage over their peers.

Staff Sgt. Steven Reese of Antioch is one of the noncommissioned officers responsible for training the recruits. He said the area beautification project was a first for Company D.

"I think as a whole, with the National Guard being a community based organization, it shows the Soldiers here that we do things for the community," Reese said. "It gives them some real-life experience with helping others."

Pvt. Kevin Baumkirchner of Aurora was one of the Soldiers cleaning up along the river banks. It was his last weekend with Company D before he will be transferred to his new unit, the 1644 Transportation Company in Rock Falls. He said he enjoyed every weekend he spent with Company D.

"I think if we could get out and do more things like this, it would reflect greatly upon the National Guard," Baumkirchner said.

Reese said Company D was planning for more events like the clean up.

"Personally, I believe it is a good thing for our Soldiers and it shows the community that the National Guard is there to support them, and I hope to do more in the future," Reese said.