The Association of Defense Communities designated eight communities, including Maricopa County, Sierra Vista as “Great American Defense Communities.” The designation is a “recognition of the unique contributions cities, counties and regions that host military installations make to improve quality of life for service members, veterans and their families.”
The Association launched the Great American Defense Communities initiative in conjunction with the House and Senate Defense Communities Caucuses last year to showcase the efforts communities take to support installations and their personnel, according to a press release. The 2017 class, along with Maricopa County, and Sierra Vista includes:
● Alamo – San Antonio region, Texas (Joint Base San Antonio)
● Charleston region, S.C. (Joint Base Charleston)
● Christian County, Ky. (Fort Campbell)
● Fort Hood – Central Texas region (Fort Hood)
● Hampton Roads, Va. (multiple installations)
● Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (Naval Submarine Base New London, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and other Coast Guard and National Guard facilities)
“All eight in the 2017 class of honorees truly embody the ideals this initiative was designed to celebrate — making host communities for our nation’s military installations ‘Great Places to Call Home,’” said ADC President Mike Cooper in the press release.
“Our community has always supported and welcomed the soldiers and families who call Fort Huachuca home. It’s just part of who we are,” Sierra Vista Mayor Rick Mueller says. “This honor celebrates the efforts of the entire Sierra Vista community and the many local organizations that ensure our service members and their families have all their needs met.”
The Great American Defense Communities program recognizes the overall support communities and regions provide to soldiers and their families. Its criteria include community building and integration, support and collaboration, educational and employment opportunities, and family support.
“The City and Fort Huachuca have partnered on a joint-use airport, an innovative agreement to share library services, and many other projects and services over the years,” stated City Manager Chuck Potucek. “But this honor also reflects the work of other organizations and the culture of the community, which includes many veterans.”
Programs and services at Cochise College and Canyon Vista Medical Center designed to serve Fort Huachuca, its families, and local veterans bolstered the City’s application for this designation.
“We are thrilled that Sierra Vista, Arizona, was selected as a Great American Defense Community. Fort Huachuca is fortunate to have such a strong and committed partner,” stated Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander Col. James Wright. “For decades, our soldiers and families have been welcomed into the community with open arms. Sierra Vista’s pride in the fort’s unique contributions to our nation’s defense is readily apparent to all who serve here.”
According to the Association of Defense Communities, over the next six months, each community will host a local event recognizing its selection and celebrating the efforts of the individuals and organizations responsible for helping their communities gain the Great American Defense Communities designation. These events will culminate in a special reception and a congressional breakfast during the Defense Communities National Summit in Washington in June.
The Association’s 2017 class was “selected by a panel of defense community advocates and experts from dozens of nominees based on the broad range of efforts each area carries out on behalf of military personnel and their families, covering factors such as education, job opportunities, housing, family support during deployments and community appreciation.”