Environmental conservation, military mission Published Sept. 28, 2006 By Kimberly Champagne 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- On Monday, the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Environment Flight commemorated National Public Lands Day, which is Saturday, by presenting the South Carolina Forestry Commission a plaque to show their appreciation for their cooperative efforts in helping restore the Rosemary Tower Site at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range. Deputy State Forester Mr. Bill Boykin accepted the award on behalf of the South Carolina Forestry Commission. "We celebrated with two volunteer days. Military and civilians showed up and worked all day on the Rosemary House," said David Davis, 20th CES wildlife biologist. Shaw acquired the Rosemary Fire Tower site in 1994. It is being restored because in April 1995 the site became eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. "The fire tower was restored in 2000 and is used to support our operations mission," he said. Currently, the Rosemary House is being restored from funds acquired from the Legacy program. Once the restoration is completed, a portion of the Rosemary House will be used as an Educational and Cultural Natural Resource Center. A major theme will be how environmental conservation and the military mission can co-exist. "We want to continue our relationship with the S.C. Forestry Commission by allowing visitors to come and see how this site benefited South Carolinians of yesterday and is still benefiting them and the military in a new way today," said Lt. Col. Jacqueline Crum, 20th CES commander.