The following is written by Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow:

One of the benefits of this job is that I get to meet the men and women who are serving in our armed forces, particularly at Joint Base Lewis McChord.  A couple of years ago, I had the immense honor to get up at 1 am and shake the hands of troops as they got off a plane from Afghanistan.  Why is this connection important to Sumner?

The military has changed greatly over the past few decades.  When I served, there was a draft and nearly everyone knew friends or family who were drafted to serve.  Today, a professional army has replaced the draft, and I’m constantly impressed by what these young men and women who chose the profession can do.  What gets lost is the connection between military and the rest of us.  Less than 1% of our population now serve, which means fewer of us know active military.  If we’re not careful, that means fewer of us are there to support and understand what our military families are going through.

That’s why cities like Sumner have connector units through the Puyallup-Sumner sub-chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA).  Through that connection, businesses like The Old Cannery and ACT 1 Theatre get involved in welcoming and supporting troops.  For example, when troops recently returned from the Middle East, if they don’t have families at this base to welcome them, the Army provides a bed but no sheets or blankets.  AUSA purchased those so that returning troops didn’t have to go shopping before getting the rest they so deserve.  Currently, AUSA is collecting turkeys for local enlisted service members, called Operation Turkey Drop.  In December, they’ll run the Ham Grenade to provide hams. Click here for information on how you can participate.

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day, it’s great for each of us to find a way to connect with and thank local military–maybe it’s through AUSA, maybe it’s by simply saying thank you when you see someone in uniform. Tonight, a local scout group is going to help add flags to our city cemetery and then hear from the Sumner VFW about why we celebrate Veteran’s Day and its history in Armistice Day.  What a great connection between generations!  And to those of you on our staff and throughout the Sumner community who have served or have family who are currently serving in the military, thank you.