FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2016

MEDIA CONTACTS
Anita Gallagher, City Manager’s Office, anita.gallagher@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5156

South Puget Sound Region Recognized as Great American Defense Community

Tacoma, Wash. – The South Puget Sound Region was recognized in March as a Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities. In consideration for the award, communities were judged on their efforts in areas such as education, job opportunities, housing, family support during deployments and community appreciation.

The South Sound Military Communities Partnership submitted the South Puget Sound region for consideration based on the broad support offered by local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and private sector entities to military personnel, veterans and their families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The City of Tacoma contributed to this effort through its recruitment of transitioning service members at professional networking and job readiness events, as well as the Veterans Internship Program (VIP), which began in 2015.

The Association of Defense Communities launched the recognition program earlier this year to acknowledge the contributions that cities and counties that host installations make to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families.

For more information about Great American Defense Communities, visit defensecommunities.org.  

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