FORT STEWART, Ga. - Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield hosted its bi-annual Regional Information Sharing Forum, March 9, providing a platform for community leaders to share information that directly impacts Soldiers, Family Members, civilians and retirees.
These forums provide a platform where community leaders, from surrounding counties, can share information about upcoming events, and help to strengthen local community partnerships.
The bi-annual forums are hosted by Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Public Affairs Office. Dina McKain, acting Public Affairs chief Officer, facilitated both events.
"This forum is an example of the great partnership that our community enjoys", said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, 3rd ID deputy Commanding General. "As the Army is a team of teams, we are a community of communities."
During his welcome, Brig. Gen. Phillips talked about the upcoming blooming season of the eastern redbud trees, located at Warriors Walk on Fort Stewart, and invited leaders to look for daily countdown pictures of these blooms in the coming days on Team Stewart's Facebook page.
"We wanted to show folks how beautiful that place is this time of the year, which really commemorates our integration of Baghdad in 2003 as a division and subsequent deployments to Iraq", said Brig. Gen. Phillips. "We invite people to come out and share memories of our wonderful soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom."
During the Fort Stewart RISF, a formalized declaration with the Fort Stewart Historic Communities Council took place. A proclamation was signed by Stewart-Hunter garrison commander Col. Kevin W. Milton, and Wyman May, vice president of the council.
Patrick Young, community relations officer with Fort Stewart public affairs, provided a detailed history on the council which formed back in 1993 and introduced a proclamation of support with the Fort Stewart Cemeteries Council henceforth the Fort Stewart Historic Communities Council.
"It's much larger than a cemetery; it shares the history that you share with us," Young said.
With the establishment of Fort Stewart (formerly known as Camp Stewart), currently it is the largest installation east of the Mississippi river and covers more than 279,270 acres of land that includes surrounding counties.
"Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield has more than 3,500 reported historic sites on the installation to include 58 cemeteries on Fort Stewart and two cemeteries on Hunter Army Airfield," said Young. "Therefore, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield and the Fort Stewart Historic Communities Council, are resolved to protect and honor the installations cemeteries and historical communities."
Preserving these historic sites is more than just important; its personal to Wyman May.
"We have our ancestors buried out there. I have a brother, grandparents, great grandparents, buried in Taylor's Creek cemetery (located on the installation)," said May. "The federal government came through and made a commitment to maintain those cemeteries. We appreciate the support that we get from Fort Stewart," added May.
In addition to the signing of the proclamation, other RISF participants gave updates on local upcoming events like the Small World Festival set to take place May 14 in Hinesville.
At the conclusion of the forum, participants were encouraged to remain for the Community and Travel showcase which took place shortly after the event at both Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.
The next RISF will meet again in September, with a date still yet to be determined. Community members are strongly encouraged to learn more about upcoming events by visiting www.stewart.army.mil.
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