FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Too often, the little things go unnoticed. These little things can have a positive effect without us even realizing it, which is why I want to take this opportunity to personally thank all of you who help make the Fort Jackson housing community a more beautiful place to live.

Many of our Soldiers and their Families who choose to call Fort Jackson home go above and beyond in creating a scenic display around their homes. During the spring and summer, we honor the best of those yards with the Yard of the Month Award.

The overall goal of the Yard of the Month Award program is to recognize families whose yards exemplify the vision of the Fort Jackson community. It takes more than Brasso and shoe polish to present a positive image of the Army. Those of us with Families know that our spouses and children are often asked to sacrifice comforts that civilian families occasionally take for granted. It might even seem silly to them that we take pride in maintaining beautiful yards that, technically, are government property. But we know better.

Although only one yard is chosen each month, I am extremely proud of each Family that chooses to add a little something to the surroundings. Each of you, in your own personal way, helps make Fort Jackson a more attractive place to live.

Whether you live on or off post, making the extra effort to spruce up your lawn can have added benefits. It's a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your Family while teaching the pride of ownership, as well as skills your children will use later in life when they have their own homes.

For those who live off post, it's a way to demonstrate your pride in being an Army Family in your neighborhood. Like it or not, how we present ourselves -- from our personal appearance to the appearance of our homes and yards -- is a reflection on our Army.

Involving your children with a simple project such as creating a flower garden can also help instill in them a number of values which will carry over to all areas of their lives. The care needed to maintain a garden can teach them responsibility, discipline and consistency.

It can also instill in them a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and as time passes they will see the fruits of their labor.

As we continue to make renovations throughout our family housing areas, those improvements are much more appealing when you take a little time out of your busy schedules to add a little of your own personality to your yards.

Let's all make Fort Jackson not only a Center of Excellence for Basic Combat Training, but for neighborhood beautification as well.

Thanks again for all the little things you do!

Victory Starts Here and Victory 6