Tampa Bay named 2018 Great American Defense Community

Tampa, Fla. – Tampa Bay has been recognized as a 2018 Great American Defense Community. Selected communities are recognized nationally for their exceptional commitment to improve the lives of service members, veterans and their families as a model for all communities. In a joint effort, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance nominated Tampa Bay for the program based on community initiatives that support installations and create a high quality of life for military families and veterans. The Chamber and Defense Alliance thank Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Kathy Castor for their letters of support for the joint application to recognize Tampa Bay as a Great American Defense Community. “We are grateful that Tampa Bay has been recognized as a community that embraces and supports our military, veterans, and their families,” said Lisa Monnet, President of the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Bay Defense Alliance application included the Chamber’s Operation Partnership program, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Salute to Service initiatives and the Tinker K-8 School  success story. “This designation is a proud moment for Tampa Bay and validates the many community partners that work to make us a model military community,” said Chamber president and CEO Bob Rohrlack. “This award reflects our community’s ongoing dedication to our military, veterans and their families.”

Great American Defense Communities

The Great American Defense Communities program was designed by the Association of Defense Communities in conjunction with the House and Senate Defense Communities Caucuses to recognize and celebrate communities whose exceptional commitment to improve the lives of service members, veterans and their families as a model for all communities.

About the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance

The mission of the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance is to champion their defense community. They promote a collaborative and engaged environment that vigorously supports a robust and growing defense community. Unified in actions, they are a forum of community leaders supporting veterans, our military personnel and their families.