County Council salutes veterans

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Pierce County Council took time to honor the brave people who have served our nation with courage and commitment, recognizing the deep bonds of trust, loyalty, and mutual support that characterize military service. The council issued a Veterans Day proclamation which was presented to VFW Washington State Commander Craig W. Dougherty and other service members.

One enduring example that exemplifies this is the phrase “I’ve got your six” – a saying that originated with American fighter pilots during World War I. In aerial combat, pilots used the positions of an analog clock to indicate direction, with 12 o’clock meaning straight ahead and 6 o’clock directly behind. A pilot’s “six” represented a vulnerable spot where an enemy might try to attack. By pledging to “have their six,” a wingman signaled they would stay vigilant, defending their partner against unseen threats.

Today, the phrase is used in the military as a symbol of the loyalty and cooperation found in the military community, and in broad terms, it means, ‘I’ve got your back,” which goes beyond the battlefield and even the uniform. In the Veteran community, it’s used to acknowledge that Veterans look out for each other and continue having the backs of their communities here at home.

Approximately 34,000 veterans receive disability compensation in Pierce County. According to 2023 Census Data, Pierce County is home to more than 105,000 veterans, or 11.4% of the County’s total population. Of those, approximately 34,000 receive disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for service-related injuries, many of whom served in combat and are Purple Heart recipients.

Pierce County is home to one of the nation’s largest military installations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). It is also the only major Army base west of the Rocky Mountains, allowing for rapid deployment of troops and equipment to the Asia-Pacific region. This is further enhanced by its access to the Port of Tacoma for sea-based transport.

Pierce County has a Veterans Advisory Board and a treatment court designed specifically for veterans. The Pierce County Council established the Pierce County Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) in 2016 to advise the County on the needs of local veterans, the resources available to local veterans, and programs that could benefit the needs of local veterans and their families.

You can watch the reading and presentation of the proclamation here: https://fb.watch/vHWgEdSybD/ (proclamation begins at 14:02)