139th AW teams up with local school Published June 17, 2009 139th Airlift Wing St. Joseph -- On April 24, the 139th Airlift Wing's Environmental Management Office teamed up with the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department and 35 kids from Neely Elementary School to work on Earth Day projects. The sixth grade students spent 65 hours preparing and planting flowers and trees at the Public Achievement Park across from the schools playground. "The 139th AW has worked with the St. Joseph Public School District and the St. Joseph Parks Department for the past 10 years on Earth Day projects," said Mr. Frank Dasta, 139th Environmental Specialist. "The partnership has provided school children with a basic understanding of how important it is to take better care of the environment." The children planted red, white and blue flowers in one of the beds in honor those who serve in the military. "I hope the kids will come back when they get older and see the fruits of their labor and how the trees have grown," said Sandy Wink, a community volunteer. The students all agreed they liked being outside planting flowers in the garden and helping their community, instead of being in the classroom on such a nice day. Each year the Earth Day project involves a different elementary school in the community.