CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the men and women serving at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., who volunteered their time and talent for the Sept. 8 Cheyenne National Day of Service & Remembrance Weekend.

More than 220 community volunteers joined forces with Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power, AARP Wyoming and Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County to weatherize 12 homes in the 800 block of West 25th Street. In addition to weatherizing homes, volunteers also equipped homes with safety upgrades such as fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors. Volunteers also beautified the neighborhood by planting flowers, shrubs and trees that were donated locally by Grant Farms. As a result of these efforts, community members invested more than 600 hours of volunteer service.

As Team Captain for one of the homes we worked on, I want you to know how very impressed I am with the caliber of Airmen who volunteered at this event. Their dedication and determination were unequaled. They did whatever was needed regardless of the difficulty or unpleasantness of the task. They jumped right in with such energy, enthusiasm, and grit that many tasks were handily accomplished in short order. Even after prying them away, they only ate a quick lunch and went right back to work! They absolutely refused to give up on a stump that needed to be removed. Working as a team they approached the challenge with various strategies. In the end a skidster had to finish the job; nevertheless, your Airmen didn't give up. They were among the last to leave; not because they were slow, but because they continued to offer help to others. Amazing!

They exemplified the values of service before self and excellence in all they did on that day and certainly brought great credit to their command.