Pocono News Section

Communities Aim to Add Support for Armed Forces

Communities Aim to Add Support for Armed Forces - Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 3:49PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Saturday, Oct 24, 2009 @ 03:49pm EDT

WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY -- An effort is underway here to have local political and military leaders sign the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which aims to inspire local communities to develop new or expand existing programs and services that support military personnel and their families.

"We got all the community leaders and post commanders to sign the covenant today," said Lloyd Brooks of Williamsport, a WWII veteran who volunteers with the American Legion.

Leaders say the main goal is to take care of the thousands of wounded soldiers coming back from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We're going to need to work to get them integrated into the community, find employment, to get back to lives they knew before they went away to serve their country," said Rep. Richard Mirabito (D-83rd District).

Leaders expect the covenant to be signed by local leaders in every county of every state in the coming months.