Fort Bliss Monitor

‘Strength in Honor’
Soldiers beautify Ross Middle School

Story Spc. Jason Stadel, 108th ADA Bde. Public Affairs

WILSON A. RIVERA

The Soldiers of 2-43 provided the labor, and CEMEX Inc. donated more than $400 worth of landscaping material to the school.

Ross Middle School Principal John Tanner had a five-year plan to beautify his school when he took over two years ago. However, with a simple phone conversation Tanner was able to get a major landscaping project done almost three years early.

The 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery coupled with Ross Middle School as part of the Partners in Education program. The battalion’s executive officer, Maj. Chuck Duray, recently called Tanner and asked what 2-43 could do to help at the school. Tanner said the school was in need of landscape work. To Tanner’s surprise, the wheels were put in motion quickly, and the planning began in about a week.

“I’m still in shock,” Tanner said. “I was hoping to get this done in the next three or four years, but now it’s done in just a matter of weeks. To be able to get this amount of work done so fast just shows the Soldiers’ work ethic and their efficiency.”

Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, C Battery, and 555th Maintenance Company were the troops tasked to do the work. They planted trees and landscaped around the school with rocks. Tanner said the improvements made an immediate difference.

“We’re having parents say, ‘What a beautiful job.’ Everyone is amazed at the change.”

The “Strength in Honor” battalion wasn’t the only organization to donate their time and effort to the school. The battalion arranged for a local business to lend a hand in the upgrades. CEMEX, Incorporated donated the rocks for the landscaping.

SPC. JASON STADEL

Lt. Col. Ron Williams presents Victor Marquez with a photograph of a Patriot launcher as a token of appreciation for their work at the school

“We feel it’s good to give back to the community; anything we can do to help El Paso’s future,” said Victor Marquez, sales manager for CEMEX. “We just saw it fit to help enhance the learning environment here.”

The dedication ceremony consisted of Ross Middle School students and faculty, 2-43 ADA’s key leadership and the 17 Soldiers who did the work. The National Anthem was sung by the Burges High School choir, and there was also a performance from the Ross Middle School choir.

Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Ron Williams, spoke on behalf of 2-43. “Today, we are proud to say we are willing to be an active partner in your education and take tremendous pride in having the opportunity to help beautify the outside areas with palm trees, small plants, and landscaping,” said Williams.

Twenty percent of the school’s enrollment is made up of military dependents. Williams said it was important for the students to have the best learning environment wherever they happen to be attending school.

“We move so much in the military and often have one of our parents deployed abroad. It is important that we contribute to existing programs and try our best to leave a positive foundation for future students,” said Williams.

Williams then presented the employees of CEMEX, Incorporated and Prime Irrigation, which also donated to the project, with photographs of the “military’s most lethal means to defeat enemy missiles,” Patriot PAC-III launchers.

The Soldiers of 2-43 ADA plan to continue their partnership with Ross Middle School. Talks with a local architect to develop an outdoor science area, at the school, are already in the works.



www.bliss.army.mil		Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	November 10, 2005

<font size="-2">SPC. JASON STADEL</font><br> <br> Lt. Col. Ron Williams speaks to the crowd at Ross Middle School’s dedication ceremony. SPC. JASON STADEL John Tanner, Ross Middle School principal, welcomes all the guests to the dedication ceremony.	‘Strength in Honor’ Soldiers beautify Ross Middle School Story Spc. Jason Stadel, 108th ADA Bde. Public Affairs WILSON A. RIVERA The Soldiers of 2-43 provided the labor, and CEMEX Inc. donated more than $400 worth of landscaping material to the school. Ross Middle School Principal John Tanner had a five-year plan to beautify his school when he took over two years ago. However, with a simple phone conversation Tanner was able to get a major landscaping project done almost three years early. The 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery coupled with Ross Middle School as part of the Partners in Education program. The battalion’s executive officer, Maj. Chuck Duray, recently called Tanner and asked what 2-43 could do to help at the school. Tanner said the school was in need of landscape work. To Tanner’s surprise, the wheels were put in motion quickly, and the planning began in about a week. “I’m still in shock,” Tanner said. “I was hoping to get this done in the next three or four years, but now it’s done in just a matter of weeks. To be able to get this amount of work done so fast just shows the Soldiers’ work ethic and their efficiency.” Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, C Battery, and 555th Maintenance Company were the troops tasked to do the work. They planted trees and landscaped around the school with rocks. Tanner said the improvements made an immediate difference. “We’re having parents say, ‘What a beautiful job.’ Everyone is amazed at the change.” The “Strength in Honor” battalion wasn’t the only organization to donate their time and effort to the school. The battalion arranged for a local business to lend a hand in the upgrades. CEMEX, Incorporated donated the rocks for the landscaping. SPC. JASON STADEL Lt. Col. Ron Williams presents Victor Marquez with a photograph of a Patriot launcher as a token of appreciation for their work at the school “We feel it’s good to give back to the community; anything we can do to help El Paso’s future,” said Victor Marquez, sales manager for CEMEX. “We just saw it fit to help enhance the learning environment here.” The dedication ceremony consisted of Ross Middle School students and faculty, 2-43 ADA’s key leadership and the 17 Soldiers who did the work. The National Anthem was sung by the Burges High School choir, and there was also a performance from the Ross Middle School choir. Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Ron Williams, spoke on behalf of 2-43. “Today, we are proud to say we are willing to be an active partner in your education and take tremendous pride in having the opportunity to help beautify the outside areas with palm trees, small plants, and landscaping,” said Williams. Twenty percent of the school’s enrollment is made up of military dependents. Williams said it was important for the students to have the best learning environment wherever they happen to be attending school. “We move so much in the military and often have one of our parents deployed abroad. It is important that we contribute to existing programs and try our best to leave a positive foundation for future students,” said Williams. Williams then presented the employees of CEMEX, Incorporated and Prime Irrigation, which also donated to the project, with photographs of the “military’s most lethal means to defeat enemy missiles,” Patriot PAC-III launchers. The Soldiers of 2-43 ADA plan to continue their partnership with Ross Middle School. Talks with a local architect to develop an outdoor science area, at the school, are already in the works.