Maryland Unites: Gov. Hogan’s initiative fosters teamwork amongst teens and MD state employees

By Staff Sgt. Michael Davis Jr., Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office —
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Members of the Maryland Military Department volunteered their time to help cadets, from the Maryland National Guard’s Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, beautify their academy surroundings on the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland on Aug. 26, 2015.

All of this was possible because of Governor Larry Hogan. Governor Larry Hogan initiated the Maryland Unites: Day of Service campaign that allows state employees to receive four hours of administrative leave so they can offer their time and talents to benefit Maryland citizens through community service.

“I was informed that the folks from the Fifth Regiment Armory wanted to do something to support our Maryland National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Foundation and as a result, here we are,” said Charles Rose, Freestate ChalleNGe director.

Maj. Gen Linda L. Singh, the adjutant general of Maryland, also came to show support for the cadets, ChalleNGe Academy cadre, and state employees.

“Teamwork is really the foundation of almost everything,” Singh said. “So when you’re working with one another the best thing you can do is figure out how to work out your differences and keep the whole team moving forward.”

One of the cadets, Bilan Montgomery, seemed to be moving her team forward with the landscaping by carrying a four by eight wood with her fellow cadet.

“When I say drop, we drop,” Montgomery said, with a stern voice.

Montgomery said she is used to landscaping, as she constantly worked on the exterior of her home. However, she said she is not used to working with other people her age.

“I think our cadets can learn a lot when it comes to teamwork,” Rose said. “It’s a learning experience that they can take with them for a lifetime.”

The Military Department volunteers and cadets not only moved bulky blocks of wood together, but they also shoveled gravel, removed large branches, and swept as a team, all to enhance the exterior décor of the academy.

“This is just the beginning, this is the first step,” Rose said. “It’s not all going to be done in one day, but it’s going to be done in a period of time. It’s going to give the kids something to look for, something more to work on and we can also carry this on for future classes and teach them the same thing this class is going to learn.”

Maryland Unites: Day of Service allowed for people to get involved and to make a difference. Two other initiatives a part of Maryland Unites are Maryland Departments of Natural Resources and Labor, Licensing and Regulation Hold Day and the Maryland Business Workshop.

Maryland Unites campaign was specifically created as a one-stop shop to provide Marylanders with the resources they need to react and respond to the recent disturbances in Baltimore.

“We’re very happy to see the cadets working together and doing things together,” Rose said. “Just seeing them get involved just brings a fine tune to my heart.”