JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. - The West Virginia Army National Guard and Army Reserve held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Veterans Day to celebrate the sacrifice our vets have made in a constructive way. The 21.5 million dollar facility will be home to both WVNG’s Detachment 1, 821st Engineering Company and the Reserve’s Ammo Platoon, 261st Ordnance Company and the 1st, and 6th Platoons of the 44th HRC Company.
According to a press release from the late Senator Robert C. Byrd about the center, “Soldier from both the West Virginia Army National Guard and Army Reserves deserve state of the art training facilities to prepare for future deployments and service to the state and nation."
Construction of the new center can be tied back to many hard working public servants. Byrd and the former Adjutant General West Virginia National Guard Maj. Gen. Allen E. Tackett were instrumental in securing the project through the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Senator Jay Rockefeller made additional enhancements to the facility through a grant, which demonstrated his dedication to the citizens of West Virginia.
“Despite tough economic times the people of West Virginia stand behind our troops and the development of this center,” said Maj. Gen. Melvin L. Burch. “It will bring jobs to the community and keep our soldiers trained the way they should be. It’s a win for everyone. It’s good to have units stationed in cities and counties that support them.”
Brig. Gen. Peter S. Lennon, commanding general, 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, added, “It’s a great day to be a soldier and a great day to be an American. This is a wonderful accomplishment, but we need to continue to strive for greatness. We owe it to our young men and women to afford them every opportunity. It is my commitment that the Army Reserves and National Guard will continue to be partners and ensure proper, joint training is the result of this.”
With the opening of this AFRC we are honoring veterans the way they should be honored; by giving them the adequate training that they need to accomplish their mission.