Army Community Covenant Signing Ceremony
Sharon McGavick Student Center
Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, Washington
May 2, 2008

 

This is a great country we live in. It is also a great state. I believe very much that Washington is about the best place to live in all of America. 

We hear this over and over from our military families who have become acquainted with our state from being stationed at Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and other bases we have in our state.  They travel the world with the military then return to settle in Washington state to live out their lives.

I am very proud to be a statewide elected official in Washington, especially because it allows me to travel our state and visit these great cities and towns such as Lakewood and Steilacoom.

This is an important day because it is all about recognizing the vital bridge between the Army and the communities that surround Fort Lewis. Our soldiers live, work, recreate, shop and raise their families here in Pierce County.  

This county, by the way, ranks among one of the most vibrant and fastest growing in our state, with an increase in nearly 90,000 residents between years 2000 and 2007 or an increase of 12.8 percent.  With a combined population of 35,000 soldiers and civilians expected on the Fort Lewis Military base by 2011, the bond between the base and its surrounding communities is  inseparable. 

Today, however, is not about the numbers of people but what those people do for each other.  This signing of the covenant is a commitment to the continual process of making our communities better for everyone who not only live here but for those who visit here too. 

We certainly have issues that are not at all unique to our state - crime, traffic problems, substance abuse, finding enough money to pay for our schools and many other challenges. 

The partnerships we form with the military in our communities can go a long way toward addressing these problems. Here, in Pierce County, the support that is shown by the military to our communities and the communities to the military is part of what puts this area on the map as one of the most livable regions in the country.

We all want communities that are safe, free of the influences of illegal drugs and underage drinking. A community that works together and nourishes our youth so that they in turn can flourish through their life’s journey is certainly a place where we all want to live.

 This is a place where people come together to help each other out, both in times of success and in times of distress. We celebrate our strong and diverse military presence, with every branch of our armed forces represented.

Our military is working hard for us overseas and here at home and our communities are showing their support in more ways than any of us know for the soldiers themselves and for their families.

 We also know that many members of the military volunteer significant amounts of their time and donate their talents to helping achieve success in the communities where they live.   We applaud the soldiers for their community efforts and applaud the communities for their ongoing commitment to supporting the troops and their families.

My hope is that the spirit of the Army Community Covenant is an enduring one and that today marks both the continuation of the strong ties that are already established, as well as a new commitment to the important work that must be done every day to support of our troops. Thank you.