The Defense Council of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce is an organization of local business and military leaders recognized by the citizens to provide for the integration of military personnel into the local community. The committee serves as a significant contributor to the well being of Aurora, its consumer and economic force, and a population of public servants with special characteristics and needs. Our efforts are to understand these needs and provide for a homogeneous blending of this key segment into Aurora’s population while recognizing the achievements of the outstanding military personnel.
The Defense Council is a joint organization representing military commands and local business leaders of the major segments of the community. Our goals are to:
- Identify common interests of the civilian and military populations
and support community efforts of mutual concern. - Get full military and community leader participation to solve
problems of mutual interest. - Ensure maximum use of community facilities and services.
- Increase civilian understanding of the military mission.
- Set-up an effective organization to assist the commander and
community leaders to carry out their mutual relations and responsibilities. - Give continuity to the community relations program.
- Be pro-active in obtaining military contracts for the Aurora metro
area.
The administrative body of the Defense Council is the Executive Committee. It has five specialty sub-committees that track specific issues important to both military and civilian communities: Public Issues (incorporating Base Realignment and Closure), Veteran’s Affairs, Military Relations (which includes the Co-Commander Program), Business and Industry (in partnership with the local chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association), and Special Events. The Executive Committee also is responsible for planning and implementing the monthly meetings with the goal of exposing as many military organizations to the business and professional community as possible.
The Defense Council key events include:
- Monthly Defense Council Meetings (fourth Thursday of the month) at various military and business locations throughout the area.
- Annual State of the Base address which gives the Buckley AFB Commander an opportunity to share with the community issues, events and activities from throughout the year.
- Annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon which honors the “best of the best” Service members from throughout the Metro area including active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard as well as their Reserve and Guard components.
- Co-Commanders annual gathering to bring together senior military leadership with their counterparts in the civilian community.
