Improved collaboration between military installations and their host communities was the focus of the annual Association of Defense Communities conference in Washington DC earlier this month where seCTer Executive Director Paul Whitescarver led a Town Hall discussion for the Defense Community Council.
The three-day conference drew more than 1,500 attendees including leaders from the Department of War, Congress, bases, industry, and municipalities, and community organizations. Issues ranging from healthcare and daycare to housing, transportation, social services and more were discussed with the goal of generating solutions to improve the relationship between communities and installations.
“The result is that we’ll be meeting with Navy leadership in the coming weeks to discuss concerns raised during the summit by communities around the country,” said Whitescarver, who was representing seCTer as a member of the Association.
Whitescarver noted that there are concerns on both sides of the relationship. Communities face challenges generated by accommodating defense installations, the industries that support them and the families affiliated with both, while military populations and defense industry families face challenges of housing, daycare, healthcare and social services. Collaboration across all aspects is key, Whitescarver said.
He noted that southeastern Connecticut was selected by the Association as a Great American Defense Community just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and he plans to revive interest in the designation. The selection is intended to “recognize and celebrate communities demonstrating an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of service members, veterans and their families.”
The conference also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Association of Defense Communities with a focus on the concept that “national security starts at home, in the defense communities whose strength, resilience, and unwavering support allow missions — and military families — to thrive.”
