LAWTON, Okla. -- More than 400 Soldiers from the 75th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) woke up well before dawn, Aug. 6, however, instead of reporting to physical training the Soldiers met in the McMahon Memorial Auditorium parking lot to volunteer for Lawton Fresh Paint Days.
The Soldiers split into 33 teams, collected paint cans, brushes, ladders and drop cloths, before going to local residences around town.
The Soldiers joined other volunteers from around the Lawton community to paint houses. Fresh Paint Days is an annual event organized by the City of Lawton and supported en force by the Soldiers of the 75th "Tough as Diamonds" FAB. Brigade Soldiers also volunteer throughout the year at schools in Lawton and have established community partnerships with several local businesses. Workers from First Command Financial Services, a community partner, worked alongside the Soldiers, painting multiple houses.
Soldiers said they enjoyed getting out into the city and impacting the community in a positive way.
"The most rewarding part of Fresh Days for me was interacting with the homeowner, hearing her story and seeing her reaction to the end result of the hard work the team put in throughout the day,"said 1st Lt. Xavier Martinez, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, operations officer.
"I know the team could sense they had made a difference in the community and in one person's life by providing a service that she could not have accomplished herself,"he said.
The homeowners selected for house painting were at least 65 years old or disabled, within the city limits, actively residing in their homes. From the applications, city leaders selected 33 citizens.
"It looks really good" said homeowner Eva Mars as she looked her house after the team finished painting it. She then thanked the Soldiers for their service to both her and the nation.
For the Soldiers-volunteers, the day proved to be a rewarding experience.
"It felt cool to work the same task alongside enlisted Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers alike," said Pvt. Gabriel Owen, a fire direction specialist with A/2-18th FA. "It also felt great to help an elderly homeowner refurbish her home. I will definitely volunteer to help out the community again."
For more information on Fresh Paint Days, to volunteer, make a donation or apply to get your house painted visit www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com. Under the Programs tab, select Fresh Paint Days.
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