Army Family Covenant signing helps KMC

***image1***Angela Bellamy was thrilled as local leadership pledged their commitment to her and others who are the support system for their Soldiers by signing the Army Family Covenant Nov. 7 in Kaiserslautern.

“It’s great. I love it. It’s important,” said Mrs. Bellamy, who has been a military spouse for almost 19 years. She and her husband, Capt. Brian Bellamy who is currently deployed, have raised three children first in the Navy and now in the Army.

Called “Boots to the Ground,” the Army Family Covenant is a pledge from Army leadership to Soldiers and their families that they deserve a quality of life equal to their service to their country. To recognize this commitment, military leaders in each Army, about 150 spouses, children, Family Readiness Group members, and senior military and civilian leaders attended the signing ceremony at the Armstrong Community Club on Vogelweh Housing.

“I think it’s very important for the senior leaders to come out and make that personal commitment to us because it lets us know that we are recognized as being the backbone to our husbands and wives – that’s really what a spouse is,” said Anja Hunt, who has been an Army spouse for a year.

Signing the Army Family Covenant proclamation were the 21st Theater Sustainment Command Commanding General Brig. Gen. Scott West, who is the Army’s senior mission commander, Command Sgt. Maj. David Wood, the garrison’s Commander Lt. Col. Mechelle Hale and Command Sgt. Maj. Pamela Carmouche.

“I think the future of our Army depends on this program – not so much the covenant – not the document, but what is behind it,” said General West, who has been in the Army for 32 years and married his wife, Patti, the day he joined. They have raised two daughters in the Army.

What is behind the Army Family Covenant is the $ 1.4 billion funding for 2008 being worked on by the Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. General West said this funding is slated for programs that improve the quality of life for Army families such as increasing accessible and affordable health care, improving housing, assuring excellent education, youth services and child care, and expanding education and employment education.