Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their inaugural Homefront Heroes: Community Welcome Event last night in the Chamber’s lobby. Numerous military members from Maxwell Airforce Base attended including the Gathering of Eagles Foundation Capstone Director Michael Wurth and his family.
The event was geared towards new and seasoned military families in the River Region to not only welcome them to Prattville and the area but to also connect with local officials to help discover everything the Prattville and Autauga County community has to offer.
“Our goal with the Military Affairs Committee is to do everything we can to support our military partners in the Maxwell area and our military families that choose to live here in Prattville and Autauga County,” Chair of the Military Affairs Committee for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce David Lewis said.
Lewis went on to give an invocation for the event and introduce local elected county and city officials that were in attendance.
“We appreciate our military, and not only our military, but not only those who are serving active duty but also our veterans, and our home front heroes. Those who are holding down the home front, holding down the fort, and carrying on those everyday duties. We want you to know that the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce is here to support their efforts and making sure that we engage with each of them in our community,” Chairman of the Board for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Lisa Miller said.
In attendance was Autauga County Commissioner and Chairman Jay Thompson, Autauga County Schools Communications Director for the Borad of Education and Autauga County Schools Military Liaison Rebecca Thomas, representing Superintendent Lymen Woodfin, as well as Parks and Recreation Director Kellie Cook.
“We take our job in having fun very seriously around here. We have a lot of options for children that come to our area, but we also have options for adults that just are looking for something to do too,” Cook said referring to all the holiday events throughout the year.
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie was also present and thanked the Chamber as well as all the military families in the area.
Also in attendance was Prattville Police Department’s assistant chief Jeff Hassell representing chief Mark Thompson, as well as interim fire chief Josh Bingham.
“We do recognize the sacrifice that the military families give to the city of Prattville. We recognize that community effort. We need the community as much as the community needs us. I want to say thank you to the families. The impact that the military families bring to our community does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your sacrifice and dedication,” Hassell said.
Other members in attendance included Prattville City Councilman John Chambers, Autauga County Probate Judge Kim Kervin, Autauga County District Judge Jessica Sanders, chairman elect of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Jimmy Morris Jr., President of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Patty VanderWal and members of the community.
“Our job as a fire department is to keep our communities healthy, safe, resilient, and prepared. So, just kind of like you guys do on the home front, that’s kind of our job on a more local level,” Bingham said.
Miller and many others that spoke Monday evening not only thanked military members for their current or past service, but they also thanked the families behind those that serve for their unwavering sacrifice in keeping the River Region safe.
