Soldiers From PTA Help Out Habitat for Humanity

A team of soldiers took a break from training at Pohakuloa Training Area earlier this month to help out Habitat for Humanity.

The 34 soldiers from the US Army’s 2^nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 52^nd Infantry Regiment, traveled to Waimea Sept. 2 to make improvements to two homes.

The work including painting of trim and interiors and clearing of brush, rubbish and even an overgrown avocado tree.

Old wire is cut and removed during clean-up efforts by soldiers earlier this month. Army photo.

At one home, the project done in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative resulted in the filling of two dumpsters in just a couple of hours.

At the second home, soldiers cleared six pallets of cinderblocks, the aforementioned avocado tree and about 200 overgrown potted plants.

A press release said the work was directed by Sayer Houseal, a project coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.

“Years will go by, and the community will remember what you have done here today,” Houseal told the soldiers. “We cannot express our gratitude.”

Lt. Mike Weiner, a spokesman for the group, said the soldiers taking a break from carbine marksmanship and live-fire exercises with TOW wire-guided missiles were glad to give back to the local community.

Erin Stephens, Habitat for Humanity community relations coordinator, said the organization’s staff was grateful for their efforts.

Stephens said the team’s strength, teamwork and efficiency resulted in a “flawless project.”