MSNG Returns Armory to Purvis

Photo By Sgt. Scott Tynes | Lt. Col. Kendrick Cager, construction and facility management officer, and Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, readiness NCO, watch as Purvis Mayor Roger Herring signs to officially receive the Purvis Readiness Center for the Mississippi Army National Guard. The city has several ideas under consideration for the return of the facility, Herring said, but had not determined how they would best utilize it. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Scott Tynes)  

PURVIS, MS, UNITED STATES

10.06.2020

Story by Sgt. Scott Tynes 

Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi National Guard

PURVIS, Miss. – A Mississippi Army National Guard armory was released back to the community of Purvis Oct. 1, 2020.
The Purvis Readiness Center served as home for several engineering companies since it was first occupied in 1953, but recently held only a minimal staff since the 230th Concrete Team, 890th Engineer Company, was phased out of the Mississippi Army National Guard a few years ago.
The return will provide a building for the community of Purvis to use while also saving money for the MSARNG in the upkeep of the building.
“It’s the end of an era with the Guard presence in Purvis and I hate that, but I understand,” said Mayor Roger Herring. “It will be utilized in a way that’s best for the community as a whole.”
Herring said the city was still discussing how best to use the facility, which was remodeled in 2007-2008, but there were several ideas under consideration. He hoped to use part of the facility to house mental health patients who had been arrested to avoid having to place them in the general population of the jail.
Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, the center’s readiness NCO, said it was a sad day for him. A Purvis native who grew up a quarter-mile from the building, Smith has worked in the armory for different engineering companies since he enlisted 22 years ago.
At different times in its past, the readiness center was home to the 230th Concrete Team, 250th Engineering Detachment and Detachment 1 of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, all part of the 890th Engineer Company.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2020
• Date Posted: 10.06.2020 13:43
• Story ID: 380319
• Location: PURVIS, MS, US
• Hometown: PURVIS, MS, US