Milwaukee County Communities Sign Covenant

By Mr Jorge Gomez (USAREC)December 15, 2011

County Heads Sign Covenant
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mayor Tom Taylor, City of Franklin, signs the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council of Milwaukee County Community Covenant Nov. 14, 2011. Taylor leads the 20-member council of community heads in showing their support of service members and their fami... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
County Leaders Support Soldiers
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

MILWAUKEE -- Support from local governing bodies for service members continues to spread through the Army's community covenant program. The Intergovernmental Cooperation Council for Milwaukee County signed the document of support along with leaders of the Milwaukee Recruiting Battalion Nov. 14, 2011, in Franklin, Wis.

The 20-member council of community heads voted in favor of the program and immediately followed through signing the document.

Mayor Michael Neitzke, City of Greenfield, suggested the idea of a community covenant with the ICC after signing one on behalf of Greenfield in June 2011.

"I was so moved by the experience and all the folks who showed up during the Greenfield Community Covenant ceremony. This is a good thing to do, especially on the heels of Veterans Day, to support the good work these (service members) do," said Neitzke.

Retired Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lima, the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Wisconsin, informed the council of the need for communities to support the families of service members in the absense of a military installation.

"Our Soldiers are making great sacrifices as they serve our nation and defend our freedom. But they need your commitment to improve the quality of life for their families," said Lima during a council session.

Similar community covenants have been signed by the City and County of Milwaukee, Waukesha County, Cities of Fond du Lac and Greenfield, the state of Wisconsin, and the Kiwanis/Key Club.

The Army program was launched on April 17, 2008, with a signing ceremony in Columbus, Ga., with the Fort Benning community. Since then, more than 700 community covenants have been signed by community members in all 50 states.