Members of the Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) First Class Petty Officer Association (PCPOA) participated in a cleanup
along Washington State Highway 303, April 22.
The project, which began near NBK Bangor main gate and ran to Trigger Ave. was held in accordance with Earth Day.
“We’re out here as the FCPOA to give back on Earth Day,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) Ritchetta Sanders of
NBK Security and project coordinator. “He have approximately two and a half miles of highway to clean in three hours.”
The volunteers gathered earlier in the day to get a safety brief and to receive their gear before hitting the roads. Each
participant was given a reflective vest to make them more visible to motorist and a rubber gloves before they picked
litter from the ground.
Members of Washington State’s Department of Transportation were happy to get a hand from the service members
and believe their work is contributing to the betterment of the community.
“It’s a really a benefit to the people of the state,” said Sherry Thorton of Washington State Department of Transportation’s
Adopt a Highway program coordinator. “One of the first things we lose during budget cuts is our highway cleaning
program. Having volunteers is a big thing.”
Thorton said by having these programs is both advantageous to both civilian and military communities.
“It’s good to have to something visual to show how service members are helping,” said Thorton. “Their team has a sign
to show what their organization is and commuters get an opportunity to see how they are contributing to the environment.
As they’re driving by, they are seeing how the Navy is helping.”
“We have an agreement with the department of transportation which we clean our areas at least six times a year,” said Sanders.
Members of the FCPOA were happy to help out and believe having cleaner roads will boost morale in the region.
“I had seen people doing this before and I was always something I wanted to do,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW)
Nelle Kigembe of NB Kitsap Billeting department. “When the opportunity to be a part of this project came, I said ‘Why not?’”
“We absolutely care about the environment and this community,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Paul Thomas. “A lot of us
have homes and families in this area and this is a way to show not only the military, but the permanent residents how much
we care. The FCPOA is motivated and wants to make an impact, not only of the service members and the community.”