JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Becoming part of something larger is one of the key reasons many of us join the military, and it often gives us the strength to carry on when times are challenging. Because of this, Joint Base Charleston is looking for ways to continue this concept and grow as we look to connect our military members, spouses, dependants, retirees and community.

One area we're beginning to review is what we can do to team up with the community to provide fitness and childcare to members living off base. The Army has been pursuing this for the last few years with some success, and it is something we'll pursue as we look to adopt the best practices from across the military services as part of joint basing. It won't be a quick implementation, as we need to scope out the requirements and other issues, but you'll hear more on this during the next few months on our new Facebook site.

Another item we'd like to bring over from our sister services is a more focused program on getting our families fit, and there is no bigger advocate for this than our lead at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Flora Hoss-Mason. She has a particular passion for fighting childhood obesity, and I look forward to her leadership as well as leadership from others across the base on combating this problem and highlighting family health overall.

The Company Grade Officers' Council, under the direction of 1st Lt. Robert Payne, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is also working to help us connect with the community. In particular, the CGOC is leading the way to marshal 1,000 members from Joint Base Charleston to join the United Way in the single largest Day of Caring in the United States this September.

We'll follow this with a true honor all our military can appreciate as we join with Charleston's Medal of Honor Society to provide escorts and other support to the 2010 National Medal of Honor Convention. To connect and talk with 55 to 60 of the remaining 90 Medal of Honor recipients is something we truly look forward to starting Sept. 29 and running through Oct. 3. I want to personally thank Master Sgt. Scott Levesque, 628th Communications Squadron, for taking the lead on this superb effort to support our nation's heroes.

Finally, I'd like to thank Maj. Pat Pohle, 628th Medical Operations Squadron, as he takes point on connecting with our team, ranging from junior enlisted, spouses and senior leadership, through upcoming focus groups. The intent is to roll information from these sessions into the key focus areas for Joint Base Charleston. Look for more information on this sometime in the October to November timeframe.

It is a busy time here at Joint Base Charleston as we prepare for our full operational capability designation Oct. 1, but I get more excited each day by the opportunities joint basing provides. There is nothing more fulfilling than caring for and supporting the great men and women of Joint Team Charleston as we continue to win today's fight.