Sailors from Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown and its tenant commands joined in the 27th annual "Clean the Bay Day" and picked up trash along the shores of the York River, June 2.

Clean the Bay Day is sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to help restore the creeks, rivers and inlets of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and prevent them from deteriorating due to pollution.

More than 75 volunteers of both Sailors, civilians and dependents-walked along the York River, and its tributaries, that border WPNSTA Yorktown and WPNSTA Yorktown-Cheatham Annex.

"Clean the Bay Day is a huge part of being a resident in Virginia," said Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jennifer Johnston, WPNSTA Yorktown Clean the Bay Day coordinator. "We are just doing a small part to keep the Chesapeake Bay clean. Every piece of trash we collected contributes to keeping our state clean."

Volunteers came from WPNSTA Yorktown, Navy Munitions Command (NMC), NMC CONUS East Division, NMC Detachment Yorktown, Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, EOD Mobile Unit 2, Det. Yorktown, and Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1. They covered several miles across the installation, on the York River, King's Creek, Queen's Creek and around the two lakes on CAX. In total, Sailors picked up more than 550 pounds of trash, including a wet suit, tires, metal rods and a car bumper.

"This is just a small dent that we can contribute to keeping this state clean and beautiful," Johnston added.

Besides the York River, Sailors followed trails around Cheatham Lake and Penniman Lake to pick up trash along its shoreline. Both lakes are part of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Outdoor Recreation facility at CAX, used by military personnel and their dependents around Hampton Roads for camping, biking, hiking and fishing.

"I'm very proud of our Sailors and civilians from all across WPNSTA Yorktown that volunteered for this year's Clean the Bay Day," said Capt. Paul Haebler, commanding officer, WPNSTA Yorktown. "Their spirit and determination to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and uphold the Navy's high standards of environmental protection is a great example of 'esprit de corps' at WPNSTA Yorktown."

WPNSTA Yorktown was just one the many military installations participating in Clean the Bay Day the week of June 6, showing the dedication and determination the military has for the communities we call home in Hampton Roads.

For more news from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, visit www.navy.mil/.