SEATTLE ARMY RECRUITING BATTALION, Wash. -- More than 700 community members from King, Pierce and Thurston counties attended the 4th Annual Operation RED (Recruit Enlistment Dinner) Tuesday, May 12 in the Marcus Pavilion of Saint Martin's University in Olympia, Wash. The event is a dinner and ceremony to honor those who have made the commitment to serve in the Armed Forces.

Community leaders from various local cities served dinner to the new recruits and their families. Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman expressed her appreciation for the recruits.

"On behalf of the state of Washington, thank you for stepping up," said Wyman. "Any branch of the military service understands the importance of ceremony and tradition," she said. "And that those things matter and that those steps mean something and what you're all doing tonight recruits -- is very significant and important."

A key part of the dinner was a massive swear-in ceremony by all the new enlistees who attended. One of whom, Army recruit Nastassja Severson, said she appreciated the dinner.

"It meant a lot," she said. "You do so much for them when you go into the Army, just to know that they're there for you and support you and just to see that you're making a difference means a lot," Severson said.

Originating supporters for the event include Harborstone Credit Union, Association of the United States Army, Little Caesars Pizza Northwest, Pierce Military and Business Alliance, Pacific Trading LLC, Starbucks and the Washington State Army Community Council.