Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 21, 2003
Contact:  Anna Kim-Williams, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136 or 360-239-1401 cell;
Alt Contact:  Col. Rick Patterson, Camp Murray, (253) 512-8481 or Lt. Suzanne Ovel, McChord Air Force Base, (253) 982-5638

Gov. Locke Visits Area Bases to Express Support for Military Personnel

Gov. Gary Locke today visited Camp Murray, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base to meet with and express support for military personnel prepared for deployment. Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, director of the Washington State Military Department, joined the governor on the visits.

“I am awed by your ability to answer the call in defense of freedom, peace and security for the entire world,” Locke said. “Our hopes and prayers are with you and your families. Be safe and come back quickly.”

Locke first stopped at Camp Murray to meet with an assembly of soldiers and airmen from the 1161st Transportation Company, headquartered in Ephrata, and the Company B, 14th Engineer Battalion, headquartered at Fort Lewis. Both are Washington Army National Guard units.

Following their visit to Camp Murray, the governor and Lowenberg spoke with Lt. Gen. Edward Soriano, the commanding general at Fort Lewis. The governor was briefed on post activities and spoke with troops at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center and the Wilson Fitness Center.

“Our state and country owe each of you a debt of gratitude,” Locke said.

The governor then headed to McChord where he met with members of the Western Air Defense Sector and the McChord Education Center. The visit included a tour of a C-17 airplane used to carry soldiers and cargo as well as a chance to meet members of the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wing units. Col. Jim Fellows, vice commander for the base, hosted Locke’s visit to McChord.

The governor is visiting bases around the state to meet with and express his support for men and women in the armed services. In addition to today’s base visits, the governor met with soldiers and airmen at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane last week and will visit Naval Air Station Whidbey next Tuesday, March 25.

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