Army declares August as Anti-terrorism Awareness Month

The Department of the Army has announced intentions to conduct antiterrorism training, education and awareness throughout August.

During this month, Army installations, facilities and forces will focus their efforts to heighten awareness and vigilance to prevent and protect Army communities from acts of terrorism.

The Army recognizes that installations, facilities and operational units must be capable of deterring and defending against the full range of threats - including terrorist attacks. By integrating antiterrorism doctrinal principles with constant antiterrorism awareness, the Army ensures the safety and security of its people (Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and family members) while ensuring mission success.

The Army's antiterrorism plans and programs provide the defensive element in a broader, combating-terrorism program. Effective antiterrorism measures integrate a multitude of security programs which ensure the protection of our people, information, infrastructure, installations, facilities and forces.

As such, antiterrorism training, education and awareness support the entire Army community and are critical parts of our overall protection.

A proclamation for Anti-terrorism Awareness Month
Whereas ...
• The vitality of our Fort Belvoir Army-community depends on how safe we keep our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and communities;
• Terrorists acts create fear and destroy our trust in others and in civic institutions, threatening the community's health, prosperity and quality of life;
• People of all ages must be made aware of what they can do to prevent themselves and their families, neighbors and coworkers from being harmed by terrorists;
• People of all ages must be made aware of the dangers of terrorist activities and how they can protect themselves from becoming victims of terrorism;
• The personal injury, financial loss, and impact to communities from terrorists' attacks are intolerable and require investment from the whole community;
• Preventing and defeating terrorism includes community protection and security, we must go beyond these to promote self-awareness and self-protection to make Army communities safer for all ages and to develop positive opportunities and a bright future for young people;
• Adults must invest time and resources to understand and support effective anti-terrorism prevention, deterrence, detection and defense; adults must also engage our youth to ensure they adopt a proactive mindset of personal protection;
• Effective anti-terrorism plans and programs succeed because of partnerships with law enforcement, security, other government agencies, civic groups, schools, faith communities, businesses and individuals, as they help to raise community awareness and responsibility and instill pride and sustained vigilance;

Now, therefore, I, John J. Strycula, Garrison Commander,do hereby proclaim August 2010 as Antiterrorism Awareness Month on Fort Belvoir and urge all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, and businesses to invest in the power of prevention and work together to make Fort Belvoir Army-community a safer, stronger, more caring community.