Hanscom to celebrate Arbor Day on May 9

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Melvinette McMillian and Anthony Wyman pull trash from the Shawsheen River during the base’s Earth Day Cleanup April 17. Volunteers from across the base took part in cleaning up Hanscom’s wetland and Shawsheen River areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

Hanscom to celebrate Arbor Day on May 9

Published April 22, 2014
By Matt Hamilton
66th Air Base Group Civil Engineering

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The base will celebrate Hanscom's 27th anniversary of Arbor Day observance with a tree planting ceremony scheduled May 9 at 1 p.m. at Memorial Park near the 66th Medical Squadron, civil engineers announced.

All base personnel are invited to attend the tree planting and help celebrate the event alongside local youth from Hanscom Middle School and the 66th Air Base Group Commander Col. Lester A. Weilacher.

Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872. The holiday quickly spread and is now celebrated in all 50 states and around the globe. Hanscom's contribution this year will be to plant trees at Memorial Park. The additional trees will provide shade, color and other environmental benefits.

Traditionally, Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April and is meant to celebrate all the ways in which trees enrich people's lives. Trees at Hanscom help to clean the air, conserve soil, moderate temperature and bring nature into a person's daily life. It also brings awareness to the dangers and long-term damage deforestation can have. By understanding and appreciating the role trees have in our environment, we begin to realize the importance of Arbor Day.

For further information about Arbor Day or the tree planting ceremony, call 781-225-2953.