A late morning breeze last Thursday tugged at the balloons as the sun shone brightly.

Nearby, children played on the large grassy area comprising Puyallup's Pioneer Park as vendors set up their tents and arranged their materials in front of the pavilion.

In the parking lot to the west, next to the library, vehicles from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron hinted at the meaning of the event.  Airmen went about the work of setting up displays of weapons and equipment.

"It's pretty wonderful, this ‘Salute To The Troops' event," Amy Tiemeyer, military relations liaison for America's Credit Union, said to me.

AUSA Connection:  The Puyallup-Sumner subchapter of the Association of the United States Army hosted its third annual “Salute to the Troops” in Puyallup’s Pioneer Park. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

Judging from the free food, basketball tournament, pie jousting, a spray park, and more than two dozen informational booths, she had a very good point as the first of the 2,500 to 3,000 expected guests arrived.

"Anything and everything we do is for the benefit of the troops," she said.

In other words, the vibe in the park focused on community connection and what the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) can do to help soldiers and their families.

Tiemeyer knows this.  As the newly appointed leader of the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the AUSA, she has made it her mission to make involvement, fun, and soldier support cornerstones of the organization.

She also leverages the power of networking.

Within the AUSA, there are a number of subchapters.  Each subchapter works together to support the other subchapters' efforts to build community and connection with soldiers.

"We have a stellar subchapter," Leslie LaCaze, president of the Puyallup-Sumner subchapter of the AUSA, enthused. "There are no subchapter silos; we network and work together as one."

What's a bit of pride in one's work and accomplishments when you've successfully brought this "Salute to the Troops" event together for the third time in a row?

Community never quits. It cares, and then delivers that care.

Smart, quick, energetic - LaCaze rattled off the recent accomplishments of the subchapter she leads.

She talked about the recent presentation of 40 baskets full of the basic essentials, like soap and toothbrushes to soldiers who returned from Afghanistan.

"The city of Puyallup and the vendors worked with us; there was no cost to the subchapter," LaCaze said. "All the money we save and raise goes to support the soldiers," she reiterated.

In other words, the small but significant actions of community and connection and just plain fun manifested themselves at every turn of this event.

The acts are deeply appreciated.

"It's wonderful to be here today," commented 1st Lt. Lee Fischer, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, as he stood by a table displaying the equipment he uses when deployed. "We get to talk to and thank the public, explain our mission in defending the homeland, and build on the wonderful community connections we have here."

That's a salute for you.