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New ‘commanders’ inducted into joint base family

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Carbajal
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  About 50 civic leaders from the surrounding community were inducted into the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst family during a ceremony at Tommy B's Community Activities Center here July 2.

The community leaders were introduced as the base's newest honorary commanders, who will serve a year-long term in their new role.

This year's inductees include Jim Saxton, retired U. S. congressman from New Jersey's 3rd District, Honorable Michael Reina, Jackson Township mayor, Dr. Stephen Kolesk, Virtua Memorial Hospital vice president and chief operations officer, and Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Ocean County Chamber of Commerce president.

According to the Honorary Commanders fact sheet, the program provides commanders with a means to effectively educate participants on the Air Force, Army and Navy missions of the joint base. It also encourages an exchange of ideas, experiences and friendships between key leaders of the surrounding communities and JB MDL.

Community leaders who attended the ceremony watched a four-minute video highlighting several of the Department of Defense's operations in 2011.

The honorary commanders were formally inducted into the program by standing in formation and reciting an oath that resembled the military's oath of enlistment.

Col. John Wood, JB MDL commander led the group in the oath and, later, expressed appreciation for their participation in the program.

"It truly is an honor to serve with you," said Wood.

The joint base commander also provided the honorary commanders incite as to what they will see during their tenure at the joint base.

"There is so much at our great base, with so much diversity here," said Wood. "Diversity in our military and diversity in our people and you'll be a great part of that."

Value in the program is evident on both the military and civilian sides of the program.

"I want to support our mission and our mission is all over the world," said Patricia Saulino, a marketing coordinator with Dewberry Engineers in Mount Laurel, N.J. "I would do anything I could to help."

Saulino expressed her eagerness to be a part of the program.

"I'm honored to be a part of this endeavor," said Saulino, who was inducted as the 621st Contingency Response Wing command chief honorary commander. "I look forward to being a part of all the upcoming events."

Unit commanders are encouraged to invite honorary commanders to various unit functions on the base.

Toward the end of the induction ceremony, Wood forewarned the inductees about a planned "boot camp" they will be invited to in October.

We look forward to having you all come out and see what our servicemen and women experience in today's military, said Wood.

The Honorary Commanders Program helps create an open flow of communication between the surrounding communities and commanders by showcasing the joint base's capabilities, future leaders and the caliber of men and women serving at JB MDL.