More than 170 people representing 38 companies and 11 government and military organizations from across the nation recently attended the Letterkenny Business Opportunity Showcase.

The showcase is a cooperative venture of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation and the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce. It was co-chaired by Governor Ed Rendell and Congressman Bill Shuster (9th District-PA).

Partnerships have been instrumental to Letterkenny Army Depot\'s strength, and the depot hopes to develop existing relationships and form new ones. Public-private partnerships with companies like BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and AAI Corporation have helped increase the depot's value to the military and brought jobs to Letterkenny.

During the Business Opportunity Showcase dinner held May 28th, Letterkenny Army Depot commander, Col. Steven Shapiro and Lt. Gen. William Mortensen, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command and Brig. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco, Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, shared the Army vision and opportunity for partnering opportunities.

U.S. Representative Bill Shuster, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee opened the event relating personal experiences from his visits to the Soldiers in Southwest Asia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We need a highly integrated force to conquer the threat of terrorism. For this, we need new technology, and this is where Letterkenny and its partners come into play," Shuster said.

Michael Durant, retired Army Chief Warrant Officer, was the keynote speaker at the dinner. He is the author of "In the Company of Heroes," and shared his experience in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.

As a prisoner for 11 days, he recanted his mission that day while piloting a Black Hawk helicopter. "Lessons learned in Somalia can be applied to any team and can be used to help businesses succeed."

The collaboration of government officials and community leaders continued the next day with programs focusing on partnership opportunities and ended with a tour of the Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected Vehicle line at Letterkenny Army Depot.