Communities neighboring Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) are conducting the first meeting of the Elected Officials Council of the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Fri., June 24 at the McGavick Conference Center on the campus of Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. The meeting will culminate with a signing ceremony of the Military Community Covenant.

The event will open at 1 p.m. with an Army band performing the National Anthem and introductory remarks from Lakewood Mayor Doug Richardson, Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy and Thurston County Commissioner Karen Valenzuela.

Army and Air Force senior commanders, including Lt. General Curtis “Mike” Scapparrotti, I Corps Commanding General, and Col. Richard G. Moore, Vice Commander of 62nd Airlift Wing, will be in attendance for the signing of the Military Community Covenant. The Covenant is designed to foster and sustain effective state and community partnerships with the services to improve the quality of life for servicemembers and their families, both at their current duty stations and as they transfer to other states. It is a formal commitment of support by state and local communities to Active, Guard and Reserve servicemembers and their families.

The South Sound Military & Communities Partnership provides a framework for collaboration with local governments, military installations, state and federal agencies to better coordinate efforts in areas such as military relations, transportation and land use planning, environment protection, emergency preparedness, data coordination, grant applications, health care coordination, population forecasting, workforce, education, housing and community development, economic development, and other issues that may arise.