Lacey Community Supports Trooper Procession

We as a community were saddened when we lost Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu in late February.   Being a good community neighbor, Joint Base Lewis-McChord offered to host the staging area for his procession.   One of the most important components of this early morning event was to have enough food to feed approximately 2,500 people.  After sending a few calculated emails to key people in the community, you could literally feel and see the passion as business leaders pledged their support to help the installation be the perfect host to Police Officers, Firefighters, and Park Rangers from different states, cities, and Canada.   My phone rang off the hook with people volunteering their help!

One of my “calculated” emails was to Tony Salas, the Lacey Chamber Director.  He then sent an email to the Chamber members and the response was amazing.   With the help of the VFW Club, Harborstone Credit Union, WalMart, Costco, Panera Bread, Famous Dave’s, Puget Sound Energy, Panorama City, Hal and Anita Yarber from Exit Realty Boardwalk, the Lucky Eagle Casino, the Association of the United States Army, the Air Force Association, the Air Force Sergeants’ Association, and other businesses in different towns, we accumulated more than enough food to provide a continental style breakfast.   In fact, there was so much food left over, we were able to accommodate a Navy deployment the next day!

Each day, the caring attitudes and actions of our community totally amaze me.   You show your generosity to our service members, police officers, firefighters, and to each other in times of need or simply to be good neighbors.   For those of you who contributed to the procession, in honor of Trooper Tony Radulescu, thank you so much for your kindness.  You also helped your good neighbor, Joint Base Lewis-McChord pull off something very special.