CCC Foundation Hosts Community Covenant Ceremony

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Former Congresswoman Darlene Hooley joins community members in honoring veterans and military families in a covenant ceremony on Friday, May 15, at the Abernethy Center in Oregon City. “Honor a Veteran by Supporting Military Families” is hosted by the Clackamas Community College Foundation.

“During reintegration efforts two years ago, we made a commitment to do our part to prepare families for military deployment,” said Shelly Parini, dean of College Advancement at CCC. “What we’ve heard from our veterans is that the most important thing we can to do support the military is to support their families while they are away.”

About 2,600 Oregon Army National Guard soldiers are being deployed to Iraq, the largest deployment from the state since World War II.

The May 15 event brings together representatives from the US Marine and Navy family services, community and business leaders to join in the “Clackamas Military Family Community Covenant.” The covenant is part of a national model that marks a formal affirmation of communities to support military members and their families. Several hundred signing ceremonies have taken place in communities and military installations across the country.
This is the second covenant ceremony to be held in Oregon.

Joining Hooley in making a Community Covenant pledge are CCC President Joanne Truesdell, Clackamas County Commissioner Jim Bernard, Oregon City Mayor Alice Norris, Senator Martha Schrader, Charles L. Deibert, civilian aide to the secretary of the army; Brig. Gen. Bruce Prunk, Oregon Military Department; Col. Mark Rathburn, Oregon National Guard, Camp Withycombe commander; retired Maj. Gen. Curtis Loop, president Columbia River chapter Association of the United States Army; retired Maj. Gen. Daniel F. Hitchcock, Army Reserve ambassador for Oregon; and Chandra Brown, chairwoman of the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition.

“Many times communities are not aware that these service members are being deployed and making a sacrifice for our country. These covenant ceremonies provide recognition for that commitment,” said Maj. Gen. Hitchcock.

For more information about the Honor a Veteran event, please contact Shelly Parini in the CCC Foundation at 503-657-6958, ext. 2545.