Marine Corps Systems Command

April 26, 2013 -- By Bill Johnson-Miles, MCSC Corporate Communications

On April 22, Marine Corps Systems Command and the rest of the planet celebrated the most famous mother of all — Mother Earth. More than 30 MCSC volunteers joined the millions in 192 countries who participated in the 43rd annual Earth Day. Employees, contractors and family members planted flowers and picked up trash and debris around Hospital Point and along the Potomac River and Quantico Creek shoreline. Volunteers at MCSC’s Reconnaissance and Amphibious Raids also deployed two open-water safety crafts and deposited 50 Marine Corps Base Quantico Marines on Potomac River beaches to assist in the base cleanup.

MCSC’s Earth Day event was organized by Poppy Harrover of the command’s Safety Directorate. This is her third consecutive year managing the project. 

“The first year at Hospital Point we had 45 volunteers and collected the most trash,” Harrover said. “We filled every dumpster and had a huge pile of trash, over 6 feet high, for base to pick up.”

Susan Wood of Combat Support Systems guessed that 800 pounds of trash was picked up this year.

“I believe this year was the least amount of trash we've picked up thus far,” Wood said. “I participated for the third year and have noticed what a difference each year has made.”

“I believe holding this every year reduces the trash on the grounds,” said Rebecca Dembowski of Resource Management. “It’s good that we can come together as a community to make the environment cleaner.”

Some of the unusual items they picked up included tires, a large plastic cooler, inhalers, lighters, flip flops, a car’s bumper, a sweater, and a bowling ball.

“There were a lot of large metal pieces of what we assume were rails from the railroad bridge adjacent to the boat landing,” said Mary Boyt of Infantry Weapons Systems. “I don't know how or why they all ended up in the same area of the shoreline, but it was a huge sense of accomplishment when we dug out and dragged or carried these items up to the trash pile. It's nice to actually see the results of our work.”

According to Harrover, about 80 percent of this year’s volunteers have participated all three years.

“The dedication of the Earth Day volunteers to ensure the beaches are spotless shows a dedication to our command, our mission and our MCSC family,” Harrover said. “The only thing the volunteers get in return for their hard work is some time outside away from their desks, a sense of accomplishment and a free bowl of chili.”

Marine Air-Ground Task Force Command, Control and Communications sponsored a Chili Cook-Off Birthday Ball fundraiser the same day and provided each volunteer with a free chili lunch. But the free food was not the primary motivator.

“We are particularly fortunate to work in an area with so much natural beauty close to hand,” said Kathleen Hinman of Medium and Heavy Tactical Vehicles under Program Executive Officer Land Systems. “Just seeing the sun rising behind a sailboat and sparkling off the water as I drive to the office in the morning can give such a boost to my day. Hospital Point would quickly lose that character if trash were allowed to accumulate along the shoreline and in the marshy areas. By participating, MCSC sends the message that preserving natural resources is important to our community and that we value the gift we have been granted.”

Besides cleaning up trash, volunteers also planted flowers which were either donated or purchased with donated funds from MCSC employees, according to Harrover.

“If people want to see more flowers, we will need more donations for Earth Day next year,” she said.

Many of the volunteers believe Earth Day is a great idea.

“It not only raises awareness, but it also motivates action,” said Richard Yungwirth, a contract specialist with the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Joint Program Office.

“It’s the right thing to do,” added Master Sgt. Jerimy Doucet of Marine Intelligence.