Sevicemembers help local church refurbish roof

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
  • Special Operations Command South Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Servicemembers from Homestead Air Reserve Base gathered together to help repair the roof of the St. Matthew's Baptist Church in Florida City, Fla., Sept. 18.

For more than 60 years, the St. Matthew's Baptist Church has been a part of the Florida City community. It has become an epicenter, where residents gather for neighborhood events and Sunday morning religious services.

Residents have gathered for neighborhood events and Sunday morning religious services at St. Matthew's Baptist Church for more than 60 years. However, years of wear and tear have left the church's roof damaged with large holes, rotting wood, and deteriorated roof shingles. It was a big concern for the church's owner Elijah Dukes, whose family has owned the building since the 1950's.

The much needed assistance came as a welcomed surprise to Dukes when members of the Homestead Military Affairs Committee recruited the help of servicemembers assigned to Special Operations Command South, 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Job Corps, and other local business and organizations to help fix the badly damaged roof.

During the week-long roofing project, SOCSOUTH servicemembers helped improve the damaged area by replacing the old wood, felt and shingles with brand new materials. Many of the roofing supplies were donated by the Homestead Lowes Home Improvement store.

Army Lt. Col. Stewart Mason, SOCSOUTH Headquarters Commandant, said it's important for military members across the base to look outside of their military jobs and set an example for others to follow by helping the community.

"As leaders, it's important that we not only talk about action, but we go out and actually make it happen," said Mason. "It's not just military activities that we need to be a part of."

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Greg Sowinski, who also works with SOCSOUTH, spoke about how a project like this helps give the military a good image across the local community.

"I like when people see us out helping others in the community because it shows us in a way most people don't typical see," said Sowinski.

For Dukes, the help on his building couldn't have come at a better time.

"This project was really needed for some time, and this group of people are a godsend. All I can say is thank you, and that is coming from a sincere heart," said a teary-eyed Dukes. "What these groups of people have done here in two days would have taken me five or six years, and it was something I didn't expect. I am full of joy."

Mason hopes projects like this are the first of many which the command can get involved in throughout the community.

"As a command, we need to be more involved in our community because we are helping our neighbors and it helps us become more well-rounded individuals."

St. Matthew's Baptist Church is located on the corner of Lucy St. and 12th Ave. in Florida City, Fla.