Military important to local communities

The Marysville and Arlington communities are stronger because of nearby military bases such as the Marysville Army Reserve Center and Naval Station Everett.

May is Military Appreciation Month and local officials talked about the benefits of being close to two facilities that house so many military members and their families.

“First of all, I think Marysville has always been proud of our military,” said Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring.

“It’s always great to see people who are serving this country within our community,” said Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert.

Last year was busier than normal for the Army Reserve because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“During this COVID environment the Army Reserve, across this last year March to March, we’ve deployed over 4,500 people to support the national response to that,” said Col. Herold Hudson with the 364th Sustainment Command stationed at the Marysville Army Reserve Center.

“Those are people in this community going and helping the national effort,” he said.

Reserve members have helped with transportation and logistics of both supplies and the vaccine rollout.

“There are federal vaccination sites that they are assisting at and running,” as well, said Hudson.

Nehring noted the Army Reserve Center has the ability to help in the event of many different types of disasters, including an earthquake.

“There are resources at the center that could help this community in that type of event and I don’t doubt they would help if they were needed,” he said.

Many families from the center and Naval Station Everett are part of the community as well.

“I think because of the location it spans multiple areas,” said Shannon Posey, a Deployed Forces Support Liberty Program coordinator. “I think our community is pretty widespread."

Families with the military have become part of all communities around the county because of that.

“Our soldiers have two worlds. Their army world and their civilian world,” said Hudson. “Their spouses are involved in the schools and their kids are in the schools and recreation sports club. They're embedded within the community."

Military members are frequently volunteers in the community as well.

“A lot of the sailors need some service hours to move up and we look for opportunities both in and out of base, like helping plant trees out in town or helping out soup kitchens which we’ve done multiple times,” said Cara Fitzgerald, community recreation program manager at Naval Station Everett. “We reach out to local areas to see if they need any assistance."

Nehring said the Army Reserve Center personnel also help out in the community.

“They’re always so quick to partner with us whenever they can,” he said.

The Army Reserve brings some of their vehicles out during Marysville’s Touch-a-Truck event if they are available.

“They often bring in their trucks that the kids love to come up and touch,” said Nehring.

The center also partners with the nearby Shoultes Elementary School and helps with a few of their events and donation drives.

“They have a giving tree during Christmas-time that we contribute to,” said Hudson. “Our employees help the students that need extra help with homework or reading."

There is also an economic impact of having two bases nearby.

The Army Reserve brought $194 million in both military and civilian payroll across the state of Washington in 2020.

“In this building alone we have about 125 full-time employees, about 50 of whom are civilians who live in the area,” said Hudson.

Naval Station Everett is also an economic driver.

“It provides a lot of jobs, both directly and indirectly,” said Nehring.

Bill Gatlin, fitness director at Naval Station Everett, said it is common for Navy members to go out to local businesses.

“Typically in non-COVID times that is one of the first things people from visiting ships want to do. They want to get out of here. They just spent however long on a base or on a ship and they want to explore the town,” he said.

They also partner with local businesses and help provide suggestions to sailors.

“We promote the events and the offerings we have within the gates of the base, but one of the amenities we provide is giving information about local businesses, such as where to eat,” said Gatlin.

Tolbert said it is good to see those military members in town.

“They visit our restaurants and our stores when they come out and we love to see them here,” she said.

The Marysville Army Reserve Center also has individuals stopping into the community as well.

“We have a good percentage that fly in during the weekends to train. So during those weekends they’re bringing business to the local hotels, the local restaurants,” said Hudson.

Local officials also wanted to express their thanks to military members for their service.

“I extend my thanks and appreciation to the people who serve in the military, and their families as well,” said Tolbert.