For Immediate Release:
December 1, 2008
Monmouth County welcomes U.S. Army covenant
Signing affirms close partnership between community and Fort Monmouth
FREEHOLD – Col. Stephen Christian, the U.S. Army Fort Monmouth Garrison commander, and Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry have signed a covenant formalizing the relationships between local businesses, civic organizations, government and military.
The covenant acknowledges the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces and their close ties to the Monmouth County community, and pledges to provide support for Army families. The signing took place on Nov. 13 at a meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The Army Family Covenant is a new Army initiative, the goal of which is to continue to provide significant support to Army families. It recognizes the commitment, sacrifices and contribution to readiness Army families make every day by supporting soldiers as they are deployed throughout the world in the war against terrorism. The covenant solidifies the Army’s commitment to building a partnership with Army families that enhances their strength and resilience.
“There’s a statement in this covenant that has particular meaning to me,” Burry said. “It says, ‘We recognize the strength of our soldiers comes from the strength of our families.’ The importance of families in situations where a loved one is deployed cannot be understated. Families of our soldiers are a very important part of the Monmouth County fabric. I salute them one and all.”
Earlier this month, Secretary of the Army Peter Geren, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston signed the covenant in a ceremony at Fort Knox. Similar signings are being held at every Army installation.
“The signing of this covenant reinforces our commitment to Army families,” Christian said. “Our programs, including family advocacy, exceptional family member support, and youth and child services programs, will remain strong for the foreseeable future. As long as we have soldiers and civilians and their families on this installation we will do everything we can to support them.”
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