Boy Scout organizes service project to better Spangdahlem, environment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Jordan Thomas is a 17 year old who attends Bitburg High School. And like many teenagers, Jordan enjoys the outdoors; participating in activities such as canoeing, repelling and camping. But he also enjoys giving back to his community and the outdoors. As a Boy Scout in Boy Scout Troop 165 at Spangdahlem, Jordan marries the two; finding ways to help the base and the environment. 

Jordan recently served as the project lead for reclaiming a wetland behind Spangdahlem Air Base's runway. An area where there used to be a pond -- a home to frogs, salamanders and other wildlife. As he points out trees and blackberry bushes atop the project area, Jordan explained how, with the help of fellow Boy Scouts and adult leaders, they cleared vegetation and made more room for returning the pond. 

"We're trying to get the area as flat as possible," said Jordan who has been involved with the Boy Scouts for about six and a half years. "There was grass growing through, there were trees growing up on a hill, we cut all those down and we used a sickle for the blackberry bushes - we slashed those out." 

Jordan's father, Master Sgt. Kyle Thomas, 52nd Maintenance Group quality assurance and an assistant scoutmaster, also explained how this is a test project for the base.
"They are using this as an example," Sergeant Thomas said. "If it reclaims well, the base will do this in different areas out on the base, as well. 

"Jordan worked with the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight. He met with them and then drew up the project and solicited help through the base and Boy Scout Troop," said Sergeant Thomas who has been with the organization for 10 years. 

Reclaiming the wetland served two purposes for Jordan. For one, he cares about the environment; this was not his first environmental project and, according to him, will not be his last. And, two, planning, creating and leading a service project is one of the final steps for achieving Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouting. Currently, he is a junior assistant scoutmaster. 

"I want to get Eagle Scout because it is very rare and I want to test my leadership as well as social skills," Jordan said. "I think it was a great learning experience making it this far with the leadership and fellowship, and it is a relief to have started working on my Eagle.
 
"I just attended Golden Falcon Junior Leadership Training to improve my leadership skills and want to continue in the troop as an assistant scoutmaster when I turn 18," the Scout said. 

Jordan worked two consecutive weekends alongside many volunteers, including Spangdahlem Boy Scouts Anthony Ciranni, 13, and Dillon and Daniel Demers, 14 and 16, respectively. The Scouts and their fathers, Chuck Ciranni, DRS Technology, and Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Demers, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron, and Jordan's father and mother, Darlene, pitched in to help Jordan accomplish this project and achieve the special significance that comes with becoming an Eagle Scout. He said he could not have done it without them. 

"It means a lot knowing that I have had everyone in my Troop, as well as my family, behind me," Jordan said. "It is great to know I can trust the people around me."