Holidays come early for reservation

November 25, 2004

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Workers prepare to move housing

units Nov. 22 from here to the Rosebud Indian Reservation. They will

become new houses for four American Indian families who have been

living in condemned quarters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman

Piatek)

by Senior Airman Piatek

28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

11/24/2004 - ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFPN) -- When it comes

time to think of reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving, four

families on the Rosebud Indian Reservation will not have to look far

for inspiration.

Four housing units were moved from here to Rosebud on Nov. 22, where

they will become new houses for 26 American Indians who have been

living in condemned quarters.

The housing units from the base, which were two duplexes split up

into four units, will replace housing that is in unstable physical

condition and contaminated with toxic mold, said Phil s,

Operation Walking Shield president and chief executive officer.

" The (condemned) houses are so bad that they've been declared unfit

for human occupancy, " Mr. s said. " The children who've been

living in them all have asthma from being exposed to the mold. "

Some of these families have waited 18 years to get new housing, and

if base officials had not offered their housing units, the families

would have had to wait until next summer, Mr. s said.

" The base is always looking for an opportunity to help the local

community, and with such a large Native American population in the

area, we hope to be able to provide even more housing, " said

Hoffman, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron realty officer.

Mrs. Hoffman said the base is working with Operation Walking Shield

and Air Force officials to approve 110 more housing units for

reservations.

Four housing units can be provided for the cost of one new house,

Mr. s said.

Mr. s said the foundation slabs, water heaters, electricity,

new siding and roofing for the new houses will be installed by Dec.

18. Furnishings and other donations have also been provided for the

families, which should make for a very merry holiday season.

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