Small Business Saturday and Veterans Appreciation Month proclaimed in Lacey 

Lacey officially proclaimed November 30 as Small Business Saturday and the whole month of November as Veterans Appreciation Month during the council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 20. 

The first proclamation, as read by the council, noted that Lacey celebrates and supports local small businesses and their contributions to the local economy and community. 

The proclamation states that 33.3 million small businesses are currently in the United States, representing 99.9% of firms with paid employees. These small businesses employ over 47.3% of employees in the private sector and are responsible for 63% of new jobs created over the past 20 years. 

Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller urged all community members to support small businesses. 

“[I] urge all community members to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year,” he added. 

Amber Young, from the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce, expressed gratitude for the proclamation, saying, "The Chamber of Commerce appreciates this. Our small businesses definitely appreciate this." 

Veterans Appreciation Month 

The second proclamation honored the service and sacrifice of veterans.  

The proclamation stated that members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and merchant marines “have answered a high calling to serve and have helped protect and secure the United States of America at every turn."  

“We honor those who lay down their lives in freedom's defense and made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit,” the proclamation read. 

Miller encouraged the community to recognize veterans, stating, "I encourage all community members to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans and to actively support our local veterans and their family members." 

Mark Moffet, a retired Army veteran of 24 years and Social Services Program Manager, thanked the city council for their "commitment to the 30,000 plus veterans that call Thurston County home."  

He also praised the Lacey Veterans Service Hub, stating, "You've created a community, and that community helps with veteran benefits. It helps with financial assistance, counseling and many other things that go on there." 

Bill Powell, chairman of the Thurston County Veterans Advisory Board, also spoke, sharing his experience helping veterans with housing and claims.  

"It's been an honor. I served for 20 years with honor serving, and it's still an honor helping veterans now and their families,” Powell said.