In a local Starbucks it is quickly apparent that longtime resident Larry Saunders is well connected to the city of Lakewood. Within the space of five minutes, two different people approach him wanting to say hello and chat. He graciously takes the time for both, since that is not only who he is, but also why he is respected among the military, law enforcement and civilian communities.

Saunders was born in Japan and even met his wife, Sally, during high school in Okinowa. For 28 years, he served on active duty with the Army, and retired as a colonel in 1998. Saunders got his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary, and holds three masters degrees from SUNY Albany, George Washington University and Command and General Staff College, respectively.

"The only ‘home' we've ever had is Lakewood," he said with a smile. "My wife and I were both military brats, so we claim this as our home."

Following his military career, Saunders used his Military Police and Criminal Investigation Command experience to become the chief of police in Lakewood. He personally helped to start the city's police department in 2003, when the city finally stopped contracting the services out, and then continued to serve as the chief for another five years.

After 10 years in that role, he retired again and then re-entered the Army in 2008 to serve in Iraq for 14 months as the director of a military transition team that helped to establish the curriculum for the Iraqi and multinational police force. Following that deployment, he spent close to a year at I Corps as the chief of training, where he worked to implement an I Corps version of the Army Force Generation training.

Upon his second military retirement in 2010, retired general John Hemphill and Lakewood Mayor Doug Richardson asked him to step up as president of the newly formed Lakewood Association of the United States Army (AUSA) subchapter.

However, for a chronic retiree, Saunders is anything but idle; he is a member of the Lakewood First Lions Club, the Lakewood Historical Society and on the executive board of the local Girls & Boys Club. Yet, he agreed to add one more to his busy agenda.

"I agreed because creating AUSA subchapters in communities where there is a heavy military presence is important," he said. "But I did have one request before I signed on."

Saunders' request was to implement a veterans' component in his AUSA subchapter since a structured program for veterans doesn't really exist within the organization.

"There are so many agencies that can help and want to do good things, but in reality, there is a breakdown in the process and often times they aren't reaching the vets," he said. "I want us to serve as an information hub. I want to be integrated partners with these organizations and the veterans. I want to make it work."

Eventually, he'd like to have a tailored case management system in which AUSA members or volunteers, who have access to the information, are paired with a veteran for 90 to 120 days and can field most requests. Currently, Saunders is working with both the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and Pierce County Veterans Services to advance this objective.

Despite his own initiatives, Saunders is also keenly focused on the strength of the community connector program (Lakewood is paired with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team) and attracting corporate partners. He is the first to say that his subchapter's priority right now is creating a broader network of support for the returning Raiders (4th SBCT).

"We are very pleased to have him as our Lakewood subchapter president. Larry is a go-getter, so future support for the 4th Stryker Brigade should work out fine," said Carlene Joseph, president of the Ft. Lewis AUSA chapter.

Though the 4th SBCT is set to return in early September, the culminating welcome home event is scheduled for Oct. 7, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Main. At that time, they will uncase the colors during a ceremony and then hold a picnic for all of the brigade's soldiers and families, some eight to nine thousand people.

Since the Lakewood AUSA subchapter would like to host the event at no cost to the servicemembers, Saunders is directing his efforts towards fundraising, be it donations of services or money. To volunteer, join AUSA or make a donation, visit www.ausafortlewis.com.

"The war is winding down and there is a need for the people of this country to reach out. There should be entire communities opening their arms and welcoming these soldiers home," Saunders said. "These are great Americans who have made great sacrifices. Now its our turn."

Spoken like a man with a goal and a plan to achieve it.