Courtesy Photo | Members of the Seattle Rotary learned about what Soldiers do at Joint Base...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — I Corps hosted members of the Seattle 4 Rotary Club at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Apr. 30 as invited guests of Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps commander and honorary member of the club.
Participants learned about what Soldiers do here and how their mission impacts countries throughout the Pacific Region. I Corps continues to partner with local and regional supporters of service members and their families.
Major General Terry Ferrell, commanding general of 7th Infantry Division, kicked things off with opening remarks about the event. Colonel H. Charles Hodges Jr., JBLM installation commander, gave participants a basic under standing of what it means to be a joint base, how JBLM and the local community can form lasting bonds, how partnering with countries in the pacific command help the world and what the Army is doing for service members transitioning out of the military through the Soldier for Life program.
Laura McCloud Mathers, the executive director of the Seattle Rotary, said the event was remarkable. She also found Hodges speech very impactful, especially the great opportunities afforded to service members in the Soldiers for Life program.
“It opens the eyes about the tremendous value that we have in our Soldiers,” said Mathers. “It reinforces the importance of maintaining a good partnership [with the military and community].”
The Rotary Club members then experienced a hands-on class of military weaponry and vehicles, where they were allowed to climb into Strykers.
“One of the things that are important to me is getting the opportunity to see the talent in leadership here,” said J. Bruce Jones, a member of the rotary. “Getting the chance to meet Soldiers who invest their lives and time; it’s overwhelming.”
James Collins, a member of the Rotary Club, served in the military before retiring here as the deputy commanding general of I Corps knows the importance the event has for his fellow Rotary members.
“One of the main reasons I really wanted the other members to come and visit the base was because they are people of influence,” said Collins. “They need to have a better understanding of our service members. If they get to know a service members story, they will be able to share it with those people they work with.”
The Seattle Rotary Service Foundation recently gave a van to the USO allowing them flexibility to go to the Yakima training sites or conduct morale type activities with service members, said Mathers. Partnering with our neighbors in the community like this will foster a relationship of understanding and trust.
Ken Colling, another member of the rotary for 11 years, said that an enduring partnership is essential with I Corps and JBLM. A motto of the rotary club is service above self, which is also part of the Army values. “We see the importance of our armed forces and we love supporting the needs of the families and services members,” said Colling.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2015 17:29 |
| Story ID: | 163238 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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