Font ResizePEPPERELL -- Pepperell could soon join Ayer, Harvard, Lancaster, Shirley and Groton, in signing the Army Community Covenant.
To that end the Pepperell Community Covenant Committee has invited the general public to a kickoff meeting at VFW Post 3291 on Leighton Street Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., presented by U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens commander, Lt. Col. Warren Bacote.
The Army Community Covenant is designed to develop and foster effective state and community partnerships with the Army in improving the quality of life for soldiers and their families.
"Please make every effort to attend this important presentation in support of those who serve," wrote PCCC chairman Stephen Themelis in a letter mailed to residents.
Committee members include veterans agent Joseph Mazzola, Ken Morgan, Joe Radwich, the Rev. Paul Ring, VFW quartermaster Tony Saboliauskas and selectmen Chairman Joseph Sergi.
On Sept. 3, 2008 more than 3,500 area residents participated in Military Appreciation Day on the Devens parade ground during which the towns of Ayer, Harvard, Lancaster, Shirley and Devens signed the covenant in front of an impressive list of dignitaries.
During the ceremony MassDevelopment Executive Vice President Richard Montuori was master of ceremonies said, "With the signing of this covenant we hope to build new partnerships throughout the community and help make smoother transitions for military personnel as they move from post to post."
This
It was another in a series of signings that has been taking place across the country. Since the Devens event, the town of Groton has signed up.
A portion of the covenant recognizes "the commitment that soldiers, their families, our veterans and our Army civilian work force are making every day."
It acknowledges that the strength of soldiers' families contributes to the soldiers' strength, and that the strength of those families is in turn supported by their communities.
Earlier this year, before his reassignment to the War College, former Fort Devens commander Steven Nott introduced the covenant to Pepperell selectmen. Mazzola also gave a presentation.
As new Fort Devens commander, Lt. Col. Bacote, said at his change-of-command ceremony that he remains equally committed to the community connection Nott fostered.
There is a direct connection between Pepperell and USAG Fort Devens. The former commander, for example, is a member of Pepperell VFW Post 3291 and marched with its rifle squad in Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades. Nott's predecessor, Lt. Col. Caryn Heard, also marched in Pepperell's parades carrying a rifle.
Themelis asks those intending to come to the Oct. 20 presentation by Bacote to RSVP at JThemelis@charter.net of mail the bottom portion of the letter being mailed to Pepperell Community Covenant, P.O. Box 223, Pepperell Ma, 10463.
