Arnold AFB Company Grade Officer Council assists Habitat for Humanity during Veterans Build

  • Published
  • By Bradley Hicks
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Members of the Arnold Air Force Base Company Grade Officer Council recently lent a hand during the Habitat for Humanity 2018 Veterans Build to support a local veteran and an area family on the verge of homeownership.

On April 20, CGOC members volunteered with the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity. The group worked at two build sites that day. First, they assisted at a site in Murfreesboro where the new home of a Navy veteran is under construction.

In Murfreesboro, the CGOs installed window blinds and framed an area for concrete to be poured for patio construction.

2nd Lt. Jonathan Teer, CGOC member and test engineer with the Space & Missiles Combined Test Force, said the Arnold AFB CGOC was one of approximately 20 veterans groups the Rutherford County Area HFH had expected to take part in the build.

According to the HFH website, approximately 1.4 million veterans in the U.S. live in poverty. The organization started the Veterans Build as a way to provide homes and employment assistance to veterans and their families.

The Arnold AFB CGOs also worked at a build site in La Vergne. There, the group assisted with cutting grass and weed eating, as well as mixing mortar and applying stucco to the foundation of a home the HFH is constructing.

Teer said the day of volunteerism falls in line with the objectives spelled out in the CGOC charter. These objectives include enhancement of the professional development of CGOs, promotion of the overall Air Force image through active participation in military and civilian community programs and activities, and development of camaraderie among the officers.

The CGOC is a private organization on base comprised of the three lowest commissioned tiers and often made up of the youngest officers on base.

Along with Teer, CGOs from Arnold who volunteered with the Rutherford County Area HFH were Capt. Michael Davault, Capt. Jonathan Dias, Capt. Adam Hopkins, 2nd Lt. Ryan Boudreaux, 1st Lt. Thomas Julian, 1st Lt. Karlie Madden, 1st Lt. Adam McKenzie and 2nd Lt. Charles Boyd.

Teer said his participation in the HFH builds was personally rewarding, a sentiment shared among other members of the CGOC.

“What it means for me personally is that a group of us can come together, with the help and guidance of site supervisors, and build something for a family that needs a good, reliable place they can call home,” Teer said. “All the members of the CGOC that helped enjoyed the experience immensely. This is something we will try and do again in the future.”

The HFH is a global nonprofit housing organization that works in approximately 1,400 communities across the U.S. and around 70 countries around the world. HFH’s vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” Individuals and organizations partner with the HFH to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.