FORT BENNING, Ga. (Aug. 1, 2012) -- Maj. Gen. H. R. McMaster, commanding general of Fort Benning, signed the Army Family Covenant on Friday along with the post command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. James Carabello, Col. Jeffrey Fletcher, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Moore, garrison command sergeant major.
Established by the Army in 2007, the Army Family Covenant "articulates that we will provide the highest quality of care for our Soldiers and Families and that we value the bond we share. The bond we share of selfless service and commitment to the ideals of this nation --bonds that cannot be broken -- ever. The bond we have remains with the Families of our fallen warriors," McMaster said.
Since the Covenant was first signed at Fort Benning five years ago, McMaster said the post has implemented ways to help Soldiers and their Families, including the opening of Survivor Outreach Services in 2011. Other new facilities to assist Families include a School Age Services Facility and Family Entertainment Center on Main Post.
Honored at the signing were Chaplain (Capt.) Kehmes Lands and his wife, Tamara, and their two children, Takari, 20, and Kayja, 16. The Family won the Volunteer Family of the Year Award in May.
"This means a lot," the chaplain said. "Families are very important and Families mean a lot to us. I'm a chaplain and we really believe that it's important to support our Families."
Signing the Covenant, Fletcher said, shows Soldiers and their Families that their best interests are at heart.
"I think it's always about remaining connected to our Soldiers and Families," he said.
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