By Peter Sclafani, Staff Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — Regina Arcuri will help relay information from the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Military Base to surrounding towns as the new honorary commander for Robbinsville.
The relationship between the military and the community can be fragile. Although the military is there for protection, the sight of camouflage trucks and men carrying assault rifles can be a bit unsettling.
”Win the hearts and minds of the people” is a common goal of both the military abroad and the military stationed on U.S. soil.
The objective each honorary commander has is to work closely with the military commander they are paired with to bring more awareness about the military’s mission to the surrounding communities.
”I support the military,” Ms. Arcuri said. “I have a passion for giving back and recognizing the people that serve and our veterans.”
Ms. Arcuri said she would be involved with the 514th Mission Support Group, part of the 514th Air Mobility Wing at the Joint Military Base. She hopes she will be able to highlight the accomplishments of the unit, which houses mission support squadrons within its ranks.
The position provides a platform for the unit the honorary commander is paired with to share stories about what they do for the military. Ms. Arcuri said she wants to be able to educate the community on the happenings of the Joint Base.
”A lot of people are unaware of what the military does,” Ms. Arcuri said. “ I think they may be afraid of getting to close to it.”
The newly appointed honorary commander said she believes she can clear up some of the mystery that surrounds what military does as well as bring to light the people who selflessly serve their country.
”I think the men and women who serve should be highlighted in the community,” she said. “We should present a more welcoming environment to them.”
In the fall, honorary commanders will go through boot camp together as a team building exercise. They are encouraged to work together and pool resources for fundraisers and events designed to promote awareness in the community, according to Ms. Arcuri.
Ms. Arcuri was sworn in as an honorary commander July 2 along with about 40 other community members. She will assume her new role on Sunday, Aug. 19, when she is paired with a commander from the 514th Mission Support Group.
According to Ms. Arcuri, candidates for the honorary commander position must be well connected in their community. Through her affiliation with the Burlington County Military Affairs Committee, Ms. Arcuri said she would be able to set up fundraising events that will benefit the unit she is working with.
Encouraging communication between the military and local law enforcement is high on Ms. Arcuri’s list of priorities. In the coming year, Ms. Arcuri said she would like to promote cross training exercises between the Robbinsville police and fire departments and the military police and fire departments, however, she is unsure if her ideas will become a reality.
Ms. Arcuri said she has family who has served in the military, which, when paired with her affiliation with the Burlington County Military Affairs Committee, has driven her to want to become more involved with the military.
Above all else, Ms. Arcuri said she believes that, as an honorary commander, she will be able to bring support to military families who need extra help while a family member is overseas.
”Military personnel live in a lot of the surrounding communities,” Ms. Arcuri said. “When a father goes off on deployment, the community wants to know who needs help.”
