Community luncheon celebrates partnership with military community

EDGEWOOD, Md.- For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harford County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Military Appreciation Luncheon in-person at the Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood May 19.

The 45th annual luncheon featured remarks from community and military leaders. It coincided with Military Appreciation Month, and Soldiers, veterans and Gold Star Mothers and Spouses were recognized for their service to the country.

The program opened with a color guard from the Maryland National Guard Freestate ChalleNGe Academy and the national anthem sung by Staff Sgt. Javon Griffith, with the U.S. Army Public Health Center. Deputy Garrison Chaplain [Maj.] Denise Hagler provided the invocation.

During Harford County Executive Barry Glassman’s welcoming remarks, he praised the vital work Soldiers, civilians and contractors do to keep the nation safe. “Freedom is shining here, every day,” he exclaimed.

“This program celebrates everything that is good about being a defense community,” Glassman said.  “Aberdeen Proving Ground is an economic powerhouse, our largest employer and innovator and our partner.”

He continued by thanking members of Team APG including the spouses, families and veterans who give back by volunteering in the community.

“This is what makes us proud to be part of a great American defense community,” he said.

Panel presentation 

A panel presentation was given by Lisa Swoboda, Maryland Department of Commerce and Association of Defense Communities board member; Jill McClune, Avon Protection Services and ADC chair of the Federal Outreach and Advocacy Committee and Karen Holt, Federal Installation Administrator of Harford County Community/Economic Development and ADC vice president. It was moderated by Heather Murphy, president of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.

The main topic of discussion was how the Base, Realignment and Closure Act of 2005 impacted Maryland and especially Harford County and the surrounding communities. Swoboda said Maryland’s location is beneficial because it is located near our country’s leaders in Washington D.C. She said Maryland has twice as many federal labs as any other state in the nation. The missions of the military commands are “very vast” in Maryland, she added.   
“Maryland is certainly a defense state to be reckoned with,” she said.

At the local level, Swoboda said there has been increased partnership between APG and local schools. More science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM outreach since BRAC.

McClune said APG has to stay competitive with other military communities. One way the installation has been doing this is by demolishing older buildings on APG South (Edgewood). This initiative will free up land for “potential mission growth” in the future. Also, laboratories are being modernized so they stay “state-of-the-art.”

Holt discussed the workforce and the talent pool of APG pre-BRAC and today. The projected rate was that 25% of the workforce from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, would transfer to APG. In reality, more than 70% eventually transferred jobs and households here.

“The 2008 recession delayed a lot of folks who were planning to retire,” she said.

Holt said today we are seeing a younger, more novice workforce at APG due to initiatives like the Select-Train-Educate-Promote, or STEP program.

“APG now has the highest number of advanced degrees, approximately 4,000, than any other military installation in the country,” she said.

According to Holt, we should not take the success of BRAC for granted.

“Those partnerships must keep going,” she said.

APG leadership thanks the community  

An informative and educational video, showcasing APG’s capabilities, was shown for the audience and

APG Garrison Commander Col. Johnny Casiano gave remarks. He talked about moving forward in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“We, at APG and especially in the garrison, have learned to better appreciate our employee’s talents and work ethic,” he said.

He said leaders across the installation are looking at ways to improve work-life balance. This involves looking at different policies like telework, remote work or alternative work schedules. Another focus, he said, is offering internships.

“This ensures we are not only retaining the right talent, but attracting the right talent,” he said.

The program concluded with presentations of awards.

For more photos, visit: Harford County Chamber of Commerce hosts military appreciation luncheon-May 19, 2022 | Flickr