SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- The Army Family Covenant, or AFC, was renewed in a resigning ceremony, here, Oct. 20.
Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, commander, U.S. Army-Pacific, was among U.S. Army-Hawaii's command teams renewing their commitment to Army families.
In his remarks, Wiercinski said the Army Family Covenant is a bond -- an unbreakable contract -- that recognizes the Army's foundation is, in large measure, made up of its families who stand side by side with Soldiers.
"The resigning ceremony is a re-affirmation of the Army's commitment and (a) pledge to all of our families to provide you the absolute best in living conditions, employment opportunities, education and care for your loved ones," he said.
He also thanked the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii team for its commitment to improving quality of life in USARHAW.
The Timmins family, representing USARHAW families, pose with USARHAW senior leaders and Soldiers at the resigning ceremony of the AFC at Schofield Barracks, Oct. 20. Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Timmins is assigned to Operations Co., HHB, USARPAC.
Following Wiercinski's remarks, representatives of Army families and single Soldiers witnessed the resigning of the AFC.
Representing single Soldiers were Pvt. Jennifer Coggins, 185th Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division; and Pvt. Danielle Short, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd BCT.
Representing the Army family were Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Timmins, Operations Co., Headquarters and Headquarters Bn., USARPAC; his wife, Stacy; and daughters Emma, 8, and Zoe, 4; and son, Odin, 6 months.
Stacy, who has been an Army spouse for more than 12 years, said AFC shows that the Army is committed to making the lives of Army families better.
"Deployments are part of Army life, and we can't change that, but the Army has given us wonderful things to help deployments go a little faster and a little easier," she said. "The Army now approaches not only the service member, but also the family, and tries to improve things for them, too."
Thanks to AFC funds, Stacy's enjoyed free yoga classes, plus Emma and Zoe have participated in programs and sports offered through the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Child, Youth and School Services, and its Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills.
"I'm very thankful for the change in attitude the Army has taken towards families in the last few years," Stacy continued. "They now realize that healthy, happy families make it easier for Soldiers to do what they do."
USARHAW command teams joined to resign the AFC, including USARPAC; 8th Theater Sustainment Command; 25th ID; 9th Mission Support Command; 196th Inf. Bde., USARPAC; 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command; Tripler Army Medical Center; 311th Signal Cmd.; 500th Military Intelligence Bde.; and USAG-HI.
The resigning ceremony capped U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii's fiscal year 2012 Army Family Action Conference, here, Oct. 18-20.
Army Family Covenant
The AFC was originally unveiled Oct. 8, 2007, to represent the Army's commitment to providing Soldiers and their families with a quality of life commensurate with their service and sacrifice.
The AFC commits the Army to:
Standardized family programs and services;
Increased accessibility to health care;
Improved Soldier and family housing;
Ensuring excellence in child, youth and school services; and
Expanded education and employment opportunities for family members.
Since the original signing, a variety of programs have been developed and enhanced, including Survivor Outreach Services; Child, Youth and School Services; Exceptional Family Member Respite Care; and New Parent Support.
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