COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss.

Richard Foster, Tennessee Valley Authority power utilization engineer, shows Frank Lockhart, Mike Clythe and Renae Fischer, 14th Flying Training Wing Civil Engineering natural resources management flight, a booth designed to help explain the properties of electricity on April 22 at the fire station. The booth was one of many shown to 450 4th graders from local schools. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick)

CAFB celebrates earth day, arbor day with local schools

Published April 29, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Columbus Air Force Base invited over 450 4th graders from local schools on base to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day April 22.

While celebrating the 41 year old tradition attendees learned about the world we live in, and a bit of how we affect it.

In anticipation of mother nature bringing in rain and high winds, most of the festivities were moved from Freedom Park and brought inside the base's fire station.

Earth day kicked off with a brief speech by Col. Barre Seguin, 14th Flying Training Wing commander. From there the children were guided around educational booths brought in from outside organizations to give children the chance not just hear but also touch and see animal furs, physics and other environmental curiosities.

Members of the 14th Flying Training wing also observed the occasion, planting two new trees on base. One to celebrate arbor day, and another in recognition of victims of sexual assault.

Columbus Air Force Base was also awarded the Tree City USA certification by the Mississippi Urban Forest Council for the 18th consecutive year. Columbus Air Force Base is one of only 29 sites in Mississippi qualifying for the recognition.