PITTSBURGH DISTRICT

Two rangers from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District’s Stonewall Jackson Dam attended the JAKES Day with the Stonewall Jackson Woodland Tracks Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation in Buckhannon, West Virginia, Aug. 20.

Rangers Scott Hannah and Jacob Henry assisted in hosting 83 children, ages five to 17 years old, attended the festivities in an all-day event. Throughout the day, children had the opportunity to meet some of their favorite mascots: French Creek Freddie, West Virginia’s groundhog that watches for his shadow every early spring; Smokey the Bear, the national fire prevention bear; Eddie Eagle, the state mascot for gun safety; and Bobber the Water Safety Dog, the US Army Corps of Engineers national water safety mascot.

Additionally, the children were given the opportunity to attend 30-minute sessions at each station ranging from fishing, fish identification, wildlife identification, turkey hunting, snakes, archery, air rifle target practice, skeet shooting, camping/first aid, and last but not least, water safety presented by the rangers.

Rangers Hannah and Henry demonstrated how to find the life jacket that fits for you, care and maintenance of life jackets, and the 4-step rescue of reach, throw, row, go get help. The sessions were interactive and the children shared many questions and stories.

This was the fifth year Stonewall Jackson rangers have presented water safety programs with JAKES Day and the rangers plan to attend for many more

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