Holloman gives big to White Sands National Monument

  • Published
  • By Becky Burghart, White Sands National Monument staff
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. --  Holloman Air Force Base Medical Group's Big Give team, The Judy Choppers, donated more than 55 hours of labor July 25, in support of White Sands National Monument.

Team members painted the evening program shed and began installing a Coyote Fence around a portion of the historic district, visible from U.S. Route 70.

"We are delighted to have a Big Give team support White Sands for the first time in at least 10 years," said Marie Sauter, White Sands National Monument superintendent. "We are extra pleased that the support is coming from our neighbor, Holloman AFB. We have limited staffing, so 10 volunteers helping even for a day makes a big difference, a difference that our visitors will notice. We really want to extend a sincere thank you to this Big Give team."

The Coyote Fence is a popular fence style in New Mexico consisting of juniper latillas tied to a wood and steel cable frame. This style of fence is complimentary to the Pueblo Revival architecture of historic districts, which include the white sands visitor center and employee housing area. A similar fence was built in the same area in the early 1980s, which fell into disrepair about 10 years ago and was removed.

The evening program shed is a white shipping container in the gypsum dune field that houses solar panels and provides power for the full moon events. This shed requires periodic maintenance due to the harsh environment of the dune field.

The work of this team will have a positive affect on White Sands Monument as they prepare for the National Park Service's centennial year in 2016.

"Many Airmen and their families enjoy coming out to White Sands," said Staff Sgt. Jason Evans, The Judy Choppers team leader. "We thought this was a nice opportunity to give back to the monument and make a lasting impact."