Yokota begins Yard of the Month Program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Ramirez
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Yard of the Month Program began at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in October, when base leadership awarded the first Yard of the Month Awards to three unsuspecting base residents.

"The Yard of the Month program is to recognize housing occupants who display pride in ownership and give commanders and senior leadership the opportunity to reward residents for their respective contribution in the beautification of the housing area, the surrounding environmental, and the community esprit decor," said Annaliza Lim-Ramos, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of capital asset management.

The winners of the October Yard of the Month are: 1st place - Carlos Rios and Janet Vazquez, Army and Air Force Exchange Service; 2nd place - Chief Master Sgt. Jason Williams, 374th Operations Support Squadron, and his wife, Lisa; 3rd place - Col. Stephen Shrewsburry, 5th Air Force judge advocate, and his wife, Lorri.

"I had nothing to do with the yard, my wife did all the work," said Shewsburry. "This is great recognition for my wife, Lorri, who contributed her time and talent to our yard."

The Yard of the Month Program will encompass the entire calendar year, awarding a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place each month.

According to Lim-Ramos, winning yards should reflect high quality above and beyond routine lawn maintenance standards. The selections should be based upon overall appeal, occupant effort, contribution to housing area beautification and appearance.

Each month housing inspectors will nominate the three most impressive yards that best match the intent of the criteria. Delegated judging officials will visit each of the nominees to score and decide place order.

During the months October through December, a holiday lighting and decoration theme will be included in the evaluation criteria.

All winners receive a certificate and a Yard of the Month sign to be displayed in their yard for the following month.

Lim-Ramos recommends those who are interested in the competition to read over the Family Housing Pamphlet (Yokata Air Base Pamplet 32-6001) for more details.