To say the military influenced the South Sound's growth is like saying Gen. Grant influenced the outcome of the Civil War. Joint Base Lewis-McChord has served as the major military hub in our area since the waning days of World War I. Collaborating with Seattle, our shipyards built over 100 warships during World War II. Military necessities led to the construction of SeaTac Airport. Many veterans and active-duty military call the South Sound home - and the South Sound isn't shy about showing their appreciation.

This Veterans Day, Tacoma Rotary Club #8 held its annual Veterans Day luncheon at the Landmark Catering and Convention Center in downtown Tacoma. Like most local agencies, the Rotarians count many veterans and their families among their members, some of whom shared stories of how military service has affected them personally, during the luncheon.

One notable speaker's husband serves in the 1st Special Forces group. Further elaboration isn't possible: her husband's activities demand discretion in the interest of national security and personal safety. (Any press coverage of his exploits must obscure his face in photographs and credit him under a pseudonym.)

Tacoma Rotary club #8 counts over 20 veterans from all branches of the military among its staff and members, including a veteran of the Canadian Navy. Each veteran club member received special recognition during the luncheon. Member Bill Baxter is of particular note, as he is the club's sole WWII veteran.

"Even though he didn't have that many years of service, his service was exceptionally important." Rotary Club President Elect and fellow veteran Mark B. Anderson said. "That's why I saved him for the end."

The Rotarians also honored the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce's 38th annual John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year. The award - named for Tacoma's famous mayor, philanthropist and fellow veteran - honors an outstanding military citizen for civic contributions to resident military personnel. This year's award went to Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Urtz, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, JBLM.

The Virginia Beach native joined the Army as an infantryman in 2009, reclassifying as a combat medic in 2011. While stationed overseas, SSG Urtz devoted 1,000 hours in eight months time to the USO. He founded a military career fair to provide better access and publicity for multiple military educational and volunteer resources - a program he brought with him when he came to JBLM. SSG Urtz did all of this while simultaneously earning his bachelor's degree and working a second job to offset his college expenses. Already a winner of many prestigious awards and accolades and a member of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, SSG Urtz also volunteers at game nights at veteran eldercare facility Patriots' Landing in DuPont, in addition to being a full-time husband and father.

When asked what motivated his extracurricular community service, Urtz gave a humble and pragmatic response that highlights the quality that makes our veterans worthy of recognition - on Veterans Day and the rest of the year:

"I volunteer because of the gratification of helping others."