Honoring the commitment: Veterans and volunteers

The Arizona Department of Transportation recognizes veterans who gave then and continue to give back to the communities in which they live and work.

More than 50 Adopt a Highway volunteer groups composed of active and veteran military personnel continue expressions of community pride through litter cleanups.

The Starlighter’s Auxiliary of the Starlight Pines community in Happy Jack, a 36-year organization and supporter of veterans organizations, led a volunteer cleanup on Friday, Sept. 11, as a remembrance for the fallen and the heroes of 9/11. 

Auxiliary Treasurer and organizer Naïla Erwin shared a photo of the group that included four first responders from Blue Ridge Fire Department, who joined the cleanup and provided roadway safety for 14 participants that day.

Volunteers bagged 100 pounds of litter along mileposts 304-306 of State Route 87, adding to the 2,000 pounds of litter this group has removed from its  community since 1990.

ADOT thanks military veterans and supporters for making the commitment to serve our country and for going above and beyond to preserve the beauty of Arizona.

Anyone can help prevent trash before it becomes litter. Clear truck beds before you go and carry a small garbage bag to secure throw-aways until you reach your destination.

If you’d like to form your own volunteer group, we welcome highway adopters interested in picking up litter a few times per year. Visit our website for details, azdot.gov/adoptahighway.