Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jones | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. – Camp Roberts volunteer curator, Gary McMaster was one...... read more read more
On Aug. 17, 2016, Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL) conducted its 75th anniversary culminating event which featured the opening of the new FHL Heritage Center and two military history presentations. The event also included demonstrations by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Horse Detachment, music by the 300th Army Band, and displays of historical and current military vehicles and equipment.
Congressman Sam Farr presented of the Garrison Commander with the Congressional Proclamation of FHL’s 75th anniversary.
“From its inception, Fort Hunter Liggett has provided a realistic training environment for large-scale military exercises for U.S. Armed Forces…,” said Farr. “…contributing to the security of our nation and strengthening international partnerships that build peace.”
FHL Commander, Col. Jan Norris presented Farr with a print of the commemorative 75th anniversary painting by Peter Dausen as a gesture of gratitude for his commitment to the military as a member of the Armed Forces Committee and for his support to FHL.
According to a Monterey Herald article published on May 20, Farr put in a $21.5 million request to fund the construction of an emergency services center at FHL in a bill to the House of Representatives. Currently, the FHL Fire Department is housed in a retrofitted 1915 barn which was here prior to the Army’s purchase of the land. The new emergency services center will consolidate the fire and police departments into one facility to provide improved communications, coordination and services.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Stephen M. Payne, is the Command Historian at the Defense Language Institute at Presidio of Monterey, Calif. His lecture focused on pre-WWII military history with a broad overview of activities that led to the tensions in the Pacific and the U.S.'s need to build up forces along the West coast. He also discussed the 1907 War Scare, War Plan Orange, the Interwar Maneuvers, and the Army’s expansion in the 1940s leading to the purchase of the Hearst Ranch for field maneuvers in 1940.
Payne has authored publications on imperialism and military history, the history of Santa Clara County, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the sardine industry in Monterey, California.
Gary McMaster, the volunteer curator of the Camp Roberts Historical Museum since 2002 was the second speaker and focused on the development of Camp Roberts, the Army’s largest basic training installation in the 1940s, the life of Corporal Roberts, WWII activities at the camp, famous trainees and entertainers of the camp, Korean War and post Korean War activities at the camp, the hand off to National Guard and Army Reserve, and present day camp activities.
McMaster is a retired Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and has written books on the history of Camp Roberts and the movie stars that trained and entertained at the post.
“Hundreds of thousands of service members have come through FHL since 1941 to prepare to fight and win our Nation's wars,” said Norris. “The Soldiers and Civilians stationed here have done the very important work of maintaining and expanding this training base to keep it a relevant and viable readiness enabler.”
There are many on-going and planned construction and infrastructure growth at FHL, such as the new Operational Readiness Training Complex and a running track, and the renovated Dining Facility and upgraded heating and A/C systems in the barracks.
“I'm very excited about the next 75 years,” said Norris.
Videos of the anniversary events are available at https://www.youtube.com/forthunterliggett. For information on the FHL, visit www.liggett.army.mil.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2016 14:30 |
| Story ID: | 218270 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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