Nation's First Sanctuary Community for Soldiers a Big Hit with Troops

Fayetteville, NC (PRWEB) September 19, 2008 -- "I salute the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County for welcoming us with open arms and hearts. It's no surprise that the families of deployed soldiers are choosing to make Fayetteville and Cumberland County truly home," remarked Brigadier General Arthur Bartell of Fort Bragg, as he and other local dignitaries joined NC Congressman Robin Hayes in officially declaring Fayetteville and Cumberland County, NC the world's first Sanctuary Community for soldiers.

Word about the sanctuary declaration spread quickly through on and offline news mediums across the country. It was one of the hottest topics on military.com and other military forums and has been met with a resounding "thank you" from soldiers.

"Good for them. Every city and town in America should be a 'Soldier's Sanctuary!'? You listening up San Francisco!" - military.com.

"AMEN. Thank you, Troops and Vets! Finally, a type of 'sanctuary city' I can support." - freerepublic.com.

"Fabulous News!" - patdollard.com Young American's blog.

"I wish more places would do things like this." - vajoe.com.

"This is the way America should be." - the Suzanne Brockmann Blog forums.

"Wow. What a great idea. It's about time there was a sanctuary community for soldiers and there's no better place than Cumberland County to do it." - a topix.com comment.

"I would hope that many other communities that are located near military installations, will follow the lead of Cumberland County and Fayetteville and do everything in their power to make the Soldiers in their area feel welcome." - soldiersmind.com.

"Now that's Sanctuary Americans can support!!" - moveamericafoward.org.

"Gee! It would be great if other communities would adopt your service to the military, nation-wide. Again, thank you," from an anonymous email to local leaders in Fayetteville.

"It is a breath of fresh air to see a county such as yours stepping up to do the right thing," in an email to County Commissioner Chairman Breeden Blackwell from retired USAF airman Robert Eberle.

As part of the ceremony, Fayetteville Mayor Anthony G. Chavonne summed it up the best when he said the sanctuary is "a place where we not only salute the flag and all that it means but, more importantly, we understand the sacrifice, we feel the pain and we share the pride in being a military town."

Local dignitaries, Brigadier General Arthur Bartell, Colonel John McDonald, Army's Army Commander Jim Konneker, Mayor Chavonne, County Commissioner Chairman Breeden Blackwell, NC State Representative Margaret Dickson, and Congressman Hayes participated in the ceremony.

Mayor Chavonne and Army's Army Commander Jim Konneker have promised announcements regarding special programs for troops, veterans and military families living in the sanctuary will be forthcoming.

Photos and videos of the Sanctuary declaration are available at http://www.fayettevillewantsyou.com/pressroom or http://www.youtube.com/thearmysarmy. For more information regarding the Sanctuary, please visit http://www.fayettevillewantsyou.com or contact Melissa Rivera at 919.356.9400 ext. 211.

The Soldiers' Sanctuary is spearheaded by Fayetteville and Cumberland County community leaders and the Army's Army. This year, due to federal BRAC, or Base Realignment and Closure, legislation, tens of thousands of military families will be required to move to one of the 11 North Carolina counties closest to Fort Bragg.

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