Enid is first community to join support program Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Enid, Okla., or as it's better known, Enid, America, became the first entire community to join a Defense Department-wide initiative to support military troops . The city showed the nation how a community supports its troops by kicking off the "America Supports You" program with a rally March 31. "Tonight is about one simple message: To all our men and women serving in our armed services ... America Supports You," Enid Mayor Ernie Currier said in welcoming the crowd of nearly 1,300. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Allison Barber thanked Enid for joining the initiative. "You're our first community to join the America Supports You team, and we appreciate it," Secretary Barber said. "Thank you for understanding that the morale of our men and women of the military is based on the support they feel from you." Mayor Currier said the program was also meant to build a support system for the two military units the city has adopted: the 71st Security Forces Squadron and the Army's 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Battalion is currently deployed to Mosul, Iraq. "The rally was really heart-moving," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Braswell, 71st SFS. Airman Braswell, a newcomer to Vance, attended the rally with his First Term Airman's Center class. "The community support really motivated me and made me feel welcome. It makes me proud and more glad I joined the Air Force." The local initiative was born of a meeting between former 71st Flying Training Wing honorary commander Greg Allen, chief executive officer of Advance Food Company in Enid, and Defense Department officials. There, Mr. Allen heard about the program from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.