For the fourth straight year, Joint Base Lewis-McChord hosted a Surviving Family Members Appreciation Day Aug. 13 at the American Lake Community Center.

"This is a good place to bring together all the information and services for survivors and family members," said event director Luann Brooks. "The tradition of helping those who serve us spans over 60 years; it began in World War I and continues up to the present."

The JBLM appreciation day was created to honor surviving family members by recognizing their contributions to the nation.

It is estimated by the JBLM Survivor Outreach Services Office that there are more than 21,000 surviving spouses of deceased servicemembers and family members of Army and Air Force veterans living in the Pacific Northwest.

A surviving spouse is defined as the spouse of a deceased service member who died during a conflict or the spouse of a member who has retired from the service.

"There are many, many ways for survivors to find help here," said Chaplain (Maj.) Melinda Riley as she stood by a table offering Catholic, Protestant and Mormon literature. "We're here for everybody; we will help you with your journey of faith."

Along with the spiritual resources, the event offered a plethora of information on a host of services and benefits of interest to surviving family members.

"A major part of what the agencies represented here today is offering has to do with quality over quantity," added Brooks.

Approximately 50 agencies - ranging from Social Security and health care to suicide prevention and job search advice - were on hand.  Brooks estimated that approximately 450 individuals attended the event.

"This is a wonderful community with very good resources," said Sharon Shadwell-Simmons, a bereavement counselor with SoundCareKids, an organization that offers grief support for children, teens and the adults who care for them. "All of us are here to help in any way we can."