By Christina Steffy
Patriot Correspondent

“The strength of the soldiers comes from the strength of families. The strength of families comes from the strength of the community.”

This is part of the Army Community Covenant, which was signed by Kutztown University representatives, Kutztown Borough officials and Harrisburg’s U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion on Oct. 3.

Created by the Secretary of the Army, the Community Covenant is meant to demonstrate community support for the military and vice versa in communities across the country. It is also meant to generate support for the military at this time of war, which, according to Bill Irwin, public affairs specialist for the Army Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion, “is the longest [war] in our nation’s history with an all-volunteer force.”

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Lockridge of the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion said this covenant “is a formal way to realize the Army and the community are a team.”

Kutztown is the first university in the state to sign the Community Covenant.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Erik Walker with the Lehigh Army ROTC, Kutztown “has been a phenomenal supporter of the military. We couldn’t ask for a better relationship with KU and the community, and we appreciate the support we’ve been given.”

Walker also stressed that the army is grateful for the community support because “without community support, we don’t have support.”

Lieutenant Steven Marcucio has only been the Kutztown Army ROTC instructor for a couple of months, but he is already proud of the strong community support for the military. He said signing this Community Covenant is “overwhelming” and “a humbling experience.”

Marcucio said it’s an honor to have his name on the Community Covenant along with those officials from the borough and university who have been so supportive.

Borough, university and Army representatives signed this Community Covenant in a pre-game ceremony that took place before the football game during KU’s Family Day and Paint the Town Gold celebrations.

Family Day is a time for students to bring their family members to campus and share in sports and other events. Paint the Town Gold is a four-day university-community event meant to foster good will between the university, Kutztown Borough, and Maxatawy Township. The main event during Paint the Town Gold was Saturday’s football game.

Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green thinks it’s great to sign the Community Covenant and show support for the troops and their families. She also said it was perfect to “do this at a university-community event which represents a partnership. This [the Community Covenant] is another partnership.”