Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Tatum | Local leaders’ prepare for a bus tour of Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to understand Task...... read more read more
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FORT McCOY, Wis. - Officials from Task Force McCoy conducted a community engagement with local leaders here Sept. 2, 2021, to give insight on how this mission affects the area outside the gates.
The Task Force McCoy speakers from the military, interagency and non-governmental agencies provided an overview of operations and answered questions the local leaders had.
“I will say that I am honored to be a part of Operation Allies Welcome, working with our partners across the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State as well as United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and a variety of nongovernmental organizations. It has been nothing but truly spectacular to observe,” said Maj. Gen. Darrell Guthrie, the senior mission commander for Task Force McCoy.
“Partnerships we are forging with our interagency teams and the relationships we are building are growing stronger everyday as we work together to support the Afghan people in their transition through a process,” he said.
This support includes housing, culturally appropriate food, water, bedding, accommodating religious services, providing recreation activities and other requirements such as transportation and medical services.
“From my standpoint we are here to support our interagency partners, and it is my job to support their efforts,” said Guthrie. “The Afghan people are here because they supported us and now we are trying to do the same.”
Holly Kirking-Loomis, a Sparta, Wisconsin, native and the Department of State representative, gave more insight to the local community leaders.
“The people are here on a temporary basis, there is no threat to the health or security of your neighborhoods and your neighbors and your communities from our guests,” said Loomis. “The people who are here are college students who were visiting family in Afghanistan, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, these are people.”
Representatives from the American Red Cross and United States Council on Catholic Bishops provided their insight on the mission.
Mike Murray, the mayor for the city of Tomah, Wisconsin, and one of many leaders who attended the meeting, talked about the session and his role as a community leader.
“It was an informational meeting for community leaders, there were city administrators, mayors and representatives from local veteran affairs and school districts to educate and expose a little bit more to what is happening with the Afghan refugees coming to Fort McCoy,” said Murray.
“It is my role to try to educate people within the community of what is happening, why it is happening, what residual, if any, effect may come to our community, and for me to parlay that to the citizens in a way that they will understand.”
Murray was asked many question from his community, from the vetting process to how long the guests will be here. During this meeting he was able to get answers.
“They were able to answer the questions and provide information to give to the citizens in my town,” said Murray. “This was really eye-opening for me today. This is not a vacation for people and it is not their choice. It is what had to happen in order to protect their lives and their families.”
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2021 08:33 |
| Story ID: | 404736 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WI, US |
| Hometown: | FORT EUSTIS, VA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Hometown: | LA CROSSE, WI, US |
| Hometown: | MADISON, WI, US |
| Hometown: | SPARTA, WI, US |
| Hometown: | TOMAH, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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