Security Forces members trade guns for hammers for a day

  • Published
  • By Ted Theopolos
  • 88th Air Base Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  In most cases having 21 Security Forces members in one location, other than at their squadron, means something has gone wrong and their assistance is needed. On Oct. 16 their help was needed, but for another cause. The 88th Security Forces Squadron Airmen donned their tool belts with hammers, instead of weapons belts, to help erect a Habitat for Humanity house in Kettering, Ohio.
 
"We try and achieve a community project once a year," said Staff Sgt. Jacob Kaszubski who put this year's volunteer team together. "We had several more sign-up but because it was a normal work week, we had to leave some back at the base to work. A few more will show up after their duty is over." 

"It took about a month to get this project organized," stated Kaszubski. "I planned this event with Jennifer Dean from Dayton's Habitat for Humanity to come up with a date to work on the house." 

When base Security Forces members arrived, bundled up with hats and gloves due to the cold weather, at 2505 Hampton Road to work on the 2,000 sq. ft. two-story house, only the first floor frame was done. Working quickly, members put up the outside walls which was a challenge with the recent rain. Around the foundation workers used straw to help keep their footing in the mud while hammering on the outside walls. 

"Glad it's not raining," said Staff Sgt. David Brown, who kept busy cutting 2 by 4's to length and special cuts for sheets of lumber for the outside walls. 

Before noon, with most of the outer walls up, SFS volunteers turned their attention to inside the house. Aided by Habitat for Humanity's site manager Keith Powell, workers laid cut 2 by 4's on the floor of the house where walls were going to be erected. 

"It's always a great day when you and your buds gather up to help out the community," said Senior Airman Joneal Alop. "It makes me feel good that I'm helping out the community, nail by nail."

The same sentiment was felt by other members also.  "Every year we try to give back to the community in any way possible," said Senior Airman Jaime Rivera. "For the last 4 years I've been assigned to the 88th SFS we have helped the Habitat for Humanity doing anything we can to give back to the community. This is the first house the Habitat for Humanity has built in Kettering. I am proud to be a part of this event." 

By the end of the work day the SFS volunteers had all the outer walls on the first story up, with window frames cut and doorways ready to go up. Inside the house, volunteers had the walls of the stairwell already in. 

Kaszubski hopes that this is not the last community project for the year. "I would like to plan another community project before it gets too cold," he said.