TACOMA, Wash. — Less than a week after returning from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the commanding general of I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and I Corps' Command Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell took the time to reinforce JBLM’s connection to the leadership in the surrounding communities.
More than 40 leaders in close proximity to JBLM attended the bi-annual community connector meeting, June 19, at the McChord Co-Located Club. During the meeting several local community leaders were shown I Corps’ appreciation by receiving U.S. flags flown at the Kabul International Airport during I Corps’ deployment this year.
For over a decade, the leadership of JBLM has met with leaders from local communities to share information, which has allowed them to provide support to each other.
Col. Thomas H. Brittain, the JBLM Garrison Commander, began the meeting by informing the community leaders about infrastructure changes and upcoming events on base.
He informed the community of a few scheduled summertime events on base that include the 4th of July "Freedom Fest” and the first-ever air show which officially combines Army and Air Force assets at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo, July 21-22.
Next up, Lt. Gen. Scaparrotti gave the community leaders his experienced opinions regarding some of the improvements to Afghanistan during their recent deployment.
"Afghanistan has changed, said Scaparrotti.” In 2009, the average life-span in Afghanistan was 47 years, two and a half years later the average life-span is 62."
"Today, 85 percent of Afghans have health-care within one hour of where they live," added Scaparrotti.
Mayor of Lacey, Wash., Virgil S. Clarkson who attended the meeting and received a U.S. flag in appreciation for his support to the military community, had a strong sense of appreciation for hearing the general's perspective on Afghanistan.
"With one in ten of our Lacey residents serving on active duty, this was very good information for those of us who are non-military," said Mayor Clarkson. "This is an outstanding opportunity for leaders who represent cities near the base to get this information first hand."