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Lakewood and 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team part ways

City and soldiers benefitted from relationship

Inside the front doors to Lakewood's City Hall and in the Council Chambers is a bronze plaque struck to honor the fallen during 4th Brigade's deployments.

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Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Community Connections program is more than words on a piece of paper or a perfunctory handshake between community and military leaders.

The program's intent, which stems from the efforts of Gen. James Hill when he commanded Fort Lewis in 2000, goes beyond the obvious and delves into the heart of a community and the soldiers it honors.

An example of taking intent to heart is the city of Lakewood's longstanding relationship with JBLM's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

The partnership between the city and the brigade began in 2006 and soon grew to encompass both parties.

Since 4th Brigade's activation in 2006 until the present, Brig. Gen. Jon Lehr, Col. Jon Norris, Col. Michael Getchell and Col. Jodi Miller have consecutively commanded 4th Brigade.

Both Lakewood and the brigade have benefited significantly from the relationship.

"It was a real, active recognition of how closely Lakewood and JBLM are intertwined," wrote John Caulfield, Lakewood's city manager.

Dan Penrose, program manager, South Sound Military & Communities Partnership, echoed this sentiment.

"There is a ton of opportunity here to continue and grow this relationship, and that is good for all involved."

That sense of connection and opportunity is heartfelt.

"Every time the brigade lost a member, so did the Lakewood community."

And now, Lakewood will lose 4th Brigade as the nation draws down from its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army officials will eliminate brigades at 10 Army bases by 2017. The number of soldiers will be reduced from 570,000 to 490,000.

Consequently, 4th Brigade is scheduled to inactivate as the Army reduces its numbers and realigns its mission toward potential challenges in the Pacific. 

The brigade's inactivation ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 14 at Watkins Field, JBLM.

Former Lakewood mayor and current Pierce County Council Member Doug Richardson recalls the start of the relationship Lakewood enjoyed with the brigade.

"Lakewood was their hometown," he wrote in an email describing the relationship between the city and the brigade's soldiers. 

Richardson pointed out that not only did the program give the citizens of Lakewood and brigade soldiers an opportunity to interact, it also allowed for the creation of volunteer opportunities for all concerned.

One such example involved former brigade commander, Col. Jon Norris.

He and Richardson worked to decentralize the connector model by partnering the brigade's companies with organizations, clubs and businesses in Lakewood.  The intent was to deepen the connection and make the Lakewood and 4th Brigade connection stronger.

The idea worked.

"When deployed, businesses helped gather and send items to soldiers," wrote the brigade's current commander, Col. Jodi Miller.

"They also helped put together welcome home packages for single soldiers.  When the brigade returned, the Raider soldiers returned the favor by funneling their charity and volunteer effort through these business community activities."

Opportunities to participate in community events like Summer Fest, Tractor Day, "Coffee with the Mayor" and selected Lakewood City Council meetings solidified the connection.

"The connection to City leadership built positive relationship that broke down the barriers between the two communities," wrote Col. Mike Getchell. 

He cited the recent Welcome Home Parade held last fall and the compassion and generosity of business owners and citizens during the citywide celebration held at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Which unit becomes the city of Lakewood's next Community Connector remains to be seen.

Ever aware of the ultimate sacrifice made by 4th Brigade soldiers, Richardson closed his email by writing, "the warriors assigned to the brigade know that their fallen comrades will never be forgotten by this community."

See Also

4-2 Stryker Brigade headed for changes at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Lakewood salutes the military

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