April 22, 2013 was Army Earth Day. The Louisville District's Environmental Branch celebrated Earth Day by hosting an Earth Day contest. The contest had 18 entries submitted in the fields of visual art and poetry.
The winning work of visual art is by Bernice Amburgey, Upper Kentucky River, for a photo of activities at Buckhorn Lake and local community kids doing trail work on National Public Lands Day. (Photo at right)
Todd Davis, operations division, receives an honorable mention for his original illustration. (Graphic at Right)
In the field of poetry, Doug Meadors, environmental branch, won for his pledge on reusing and recycling. Doreen Rodgers, construction division, receives honorable mention for her poem "Our Earth."
Winning poem by Doug Meadors:
A reusable bottle holds today’s water for walking
Actions done mindfully do more than talking
I will support more transportation options
Community meetings need more voices
It’s not that far
I will leave the car
That faucet that has been leaking a drip
New faucet valve seats will fix it
With more thinking about recycling each day
I will reduce the amount that I throw away
A yard side garden built up with compost
Produces fresh food without the truck cost
Thrift and thought go hand in hand
Living in harmony with the land
I live on this earth under the sun
My choices make a difference, one by one.
Honorable Mention: "Our Earth" by Doreen Rodgers
The earth belongs to all of us
It is the place to be.
For each in kind to cherish
And keep for you and me.
We must not waiver in our quest
To protect this wonderful orb.
She has given us all her best
A fact that we fail to absorb.
It’s important that each and everyone
Takes care of this wonderful space.
We must continue, we are not done
We have to cherish this marvelous place.
So all join in and do your part
To this cause--we must not stray.
We have to open up our hearts
And make everyday our Earth Day!!