Ceremonial Lawn opens following AFDW-wide effort Published April 1, 2010 By Benjamin Newell AFDW/PA Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C. -- Mr. Rashad Stocks, a Stay-In-School program employee with the 11th Civil Engineering Squadron, spent April 1 leaning on a weed whacker. Instead of studying psychology at Montgomery County Community College, he was studying the flag poles looking for stray long blades of grass. The 20-year-old student was ensuring the Air Force Ceremonial Lawn at Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. was manicured and ready to open for business. The Air Force Ceremonial Lawn is primped and cared for by a dedicated staff of 11th CES professionals. There are typically three individuals assigned to the lawn year-round. They maintain the appearance of the grass and select the rugged, flowering plants that provide a subdued, but colorful border to the grass. Mr. Stocks is one of the employees charged with maintenance of the lawn that has received foreign dignitaries, four-star generals and is a focal point for Air Force ceremonies in the National Capital Region. "I just can't be stuck indoors on a day like this," said Mr. Stocks. Cherry blossoms had popped all around Washington, D.C., and the sun was warming the breeze to a mild 76 degrees. William Brooks, a 30-year 11th CES employee spent April 1 training Mr. Stocks on the tight regulations that maintenance experts follow when caring for the hallowed grounds. The tall fescue variety of grass growing on the lawn is always trimmed to between 3.5 and 4 inches, allowing for absorption of the impact of crowds and USAF Honor Guard drill teams. During the winter, rugged pansies ring the lawn. Pansies keep the lawn ringed with vibrant colors throughout the long, cold months of a Mid-Atlantic winter. Summer months see the arrival of Wax Begonias, known for 1-inch-wide flowers and durability in hot, humid conditions. "I'm really exercising my freedom, working outdoors on the Ceremonial Lawn on a day like this," said Mr. Brooks. "I'm 57 years old, so one day I'd like Mr. Stocks to take over for me. At the very least, he'll finish this summer with some very useful skills and be ready to hit the books again when school starts." April 1 is considered opening day for the lawn. In the weeks leading up to open season, Civil Engineers work with counterparts in the USAF Band and Honor Guard to keep the lawn sharp for the packed schedule. The Air Force District of Washington holds monthly retirement ceremonies on the lawn. This regular rhythm is punctuated by major events like the Air Force "Tattoo" display. Tattoo is scheduled for June. It will involve the Honor Guard, Band, Air Force leadership and AFDW Airmen from throughout the National Capital Region displaying the best of the U.S. Air Force. "The engineers have been especially impressive this year with all the snow that we've had," said Airman 1st Class Alonzo Marquez, a USAF Honor Guard Standards and Evaluations expert. "After all that melted, we came out here to see green grass. It was quite a feat." Airman Marquez spent April 1 reviewing the Color Guard, as they assembled adjacent to the lawn as part of their training. As he walked down lines of pressed and turned-out Airmen in their ceremonial garb, Mr. Brooks and Mr. Stocks could be heard putting the finishing touches on the lawn's edging. Working within sight of the lawn in building P-20 are protocol representatives from the Air Force District of Washington that work in concert with maintenance and schedulers to ensure that everything is in the right place when an event arrives. "It's really a privilege to be involved with events on this Lawn," said Master Sgt. Charles Mercurio of AFDW Protocol. "When you think about it, everyone has a different role to play here. The Guard and Band are the face of an event, but the maintenance crews really ensure that all of our work is presented on a perfect stage."