There's a new brigade in town.
"The City of Lakewood is honored and grateful to be connected to 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division - the Lancer Brigade," wrote the city's manager, John Caulfield.
His comments underscore the positive history the city has with Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).
JBLM's Community Connections program is more than just polite words and firm handshakes. It's about making the positive consistently happen.
"We are very excited about working with the city of Lakewood and making a difference," remarked Col. Louis Zeisman, the brigade's commander, before an early morning run last Friday.
"We're ready to go."
The community connector program - which stems from the efforts of Gen. James Hill when he commanded Fort Lewis in 2000 - goes straight into the heart of a community.
"We know about the great and enduring relationship Lakewood had with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division," continued Zeisman. "I have inherited a first class organization in partnering with Lakewood."
Since 2006, the city enjoyed a unique relationship with 4th Brigade. Due to the Army's restructuring and rebalancing toward the Pacific area of operations, the brigade was inactivated earlier this year.
That left the way open for 2nd Brigade to quickly step up.
"We've already had soldiers volunteer at track meets at Lakes High School and at the YMCA," Zeisman continued.
"Just call on us; we'll be there."
That's an attitude that resonates with Caulfield.
"This relationship shows once again how connected Lakewood is to Joint Base Lewis-McChord and our soldiers."
SEE ALSO
Read Comments