The timing was perfect.

This past weekend, the nationwide "Make A Difference Day" and the National Guard initiative "Guard the Environment" coincided in a show of community cooperation.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Washington Army National Guard soldiers volunteered to help the environment and strengthen community ties.

"It is very important for us to partner with the community," said Master Sgt. Eric Blaine last Saturday morning as he picked up trash on the shoulder of southbound I-5 between exits 122 to 120.

"We like things to be ‘dress right dress,' and picking up trash is no big deal."

Joining Blaine were approximately 20 soldiers assigned to the Madigan Health Care System.  They picked up for disposal everything from glass and paper to used diapers and the occasional hubcap.

"Madigan has a strong tie with the City of Tacoma," pointed out Capt. Tristan Manning.

"We are making a difference in the community."

This weekend marked the 20th anniversary of Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service.

Sponsored by USA WEEKEND and the HandsOn Network, the event is held annually on the fourth Saturday of October.

JBLM soldiers and area volunteers supported more than six local community projects ranging from a landscaping project in Yelm to environmental restoration at the Lake Lois Habitat in Lacey.

"I like to fish, ma'am," said Pfc. Darrell Moyer as he pulled a rake full of grass out of Lake Lois.

A 35.5-acre habitat in the center of Lacey, the lake has been invaded by reed canary grass, which blocks migrating salmon from returning up a stream channel.

Clearing trails, picking up trash and removing the aquatic grass consumed the efforts and time of about 40 soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Working with the Rotary Club of Lacey, the Boy Scouts, local high school students and the YMCA Earth Service Corps, the soldiers removed thousand of pounds of debris.

"It's great to help out," commented Pfc. Andrew Hodges, as he received an armful of grass, leaves and wood from Sgt. Ricky George.

"It's good to give back to those who have supported us."

The Rotary's Sheryll Apte nodded her head in agreement.

"They contacted us and asked to help out," she said.  "Soldiers are awesome, but today they are even more so."

This is a message the Washington Army National Guard understands.

Aligning with the spirit of Make A Difference Day, approximately 70 new recruits and soldiers from the WANG's Recruit Sustainment Program joined forces last Oct. 24 with Citizens for a Healthy Bay to clear and facilitate plant growth on the Gog-Le-Hi-Te wetlands, a 9.5-acre habitat mitigation site on the banks of the Puyallup River at the Port of Tacoma.

"The Guard contacted us and asked if they could help make a difference," commented Jeanine Riss, the restoration program manager for CHB. "I am very happy to have their help."

An environmental organization dedicated to the cleanup, restoration and protection of Commencement Bay, CHB also works to protect and clean the surrounding waters and the natural habitat.

The WANG's service project is part of a nationwide National Guard project knows as "Guard the Environment," which focuses on working with the communities that comprise the Guard.

Approximately 340 Guard units nationwide participated in their communities.

Enhancement began with using shovels, loppers and grubbing tools.  In no time, soldiers began to dig out the roots of hundreds of Himalayan blackberry bushes.

"This is the first time I've drilled with the unit," said recruit Tiara Shadley, as she pulled up a blackberry plant. "It is amazing to learn how much we can give back to the community."

New recruits worked side by side with veteran soldiers as they pulled up thousands of blackberry plants and  spread hundreds of yards of bark.

All of the soldiers wore olive green tee shirts with the words, "Guard the Environment," printed on the front."This is the best group of volunteers I've ever worked with," said Riss. "They are great."