Mildenhall Airmen clean local school, enhance ties

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Ten Team Mildenhall volunteers weathered harsh British downpours and volunteered to clean up Beck Row Primary School Aug. 26.

While sweeping, cleaning and painting was the obvious agenda for the group, the intangible impacts will last far beyond the paint's applied lifetime.

The exceptional community relations between Anglo and American citizens in East Anglia have continued more than 75 years, and by continuing to foster those bonds, should carry on into the foreseeable future.

"We have a very active friendship group here (similar to an American Parent-Teacher Association), and the group is primarily made up of American parents," said Angie Hamilton, Beck Row Primary School acting head teacher, explaining the amazement she has in such overwhelming American support for a school made up of about 25 percent U.S. children.

"It's ironic but our American parents seem to organize almost all of our events, but mostly English parents actually attend the events," continued Ms. Hamilton. "What we need to do now is get all families to mix together, and we have lots of events planned to help facilitate that challenge."

Today's clean up was one such event. Fun and exciting mixers and team-building affairs are coming with the next school year, said Ms. Hamilton.

A Mildenhall technical sergeant echoed the sentiment.

"I've been assigned or on temporary duty to quite a few foreign countries and know how important relationships are," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Routh, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who volunteered for the cleanup. "I'm new here and honored to be out here helping out."