Photo By Cpl. Scott L. Tomaszycki | Retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Kilborn and his wife, Edna, enjoy the unit...... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Miller’s Landing opened Friday, Oct. 29, among a host of people, from active and retired service members to community officials, who gathered to celebrate the opening of the new consolidated club and to remember what Lt. Gen. Thomas H. Miller contributed to the Marine Corps.
The 22,000-square-foot, $8.4 million consolidated club and convention center includes a restaurant, ballroom, and clubs for Cherry Point's officers and staff noncommissioned officers.
Additionally, the club will serve as a center for events ranging from military education seminars to weddings. The facility features waterfront dining and a grand ballroom with seating for up to 350 and up to 500 for stand-up events.
Miller, known in the Marine Corps as the “Father of the Harrier,” introduced the AV-8A Harrier into the Marine fighting force and was one of only two pilots to fly combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. To honor him, the new club aboard Cherry Point was named Miller’s Landing.
“His legacy to me is building a Marine Air-Ground Task Force,” said Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “The aviation component of the task force is of the future. He was a very visionary man. He brought forward things like the Harrier, the F-18 and Super Cobras. A lot of those airplanes were conceived and developed based on what he knew we needed to do as a Marine Corps. I’m very proud to be here and see this place named after him.”
Miller’s daughter, Jo Ann, said the dedication of Miller’s Landing is really a dedication to both of her parents. She explained she believes Thomas wouldn’t have gone so far without his wife, Ida Mai.
Jo Ann said she likes the fact that the consolidated club is for both officers and staff non-commissioned officers.
“My father said that his men were more important to him than being a general,” said Jo Ann. “I think he would have done anything to save one of his men. He would really think it was cool having a place for both officers and enlisted.”
Years ago, another club once sat on the same plot as Miller’s Landing but was torn down due to asbestos. Having a new club in the same scenic location, overseeing the Neuse River, received a lot of praise from the party-goers attending the event.
“I think that this is going to be a great location,” said Lt. Col. Samuel P. Mowery, commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “The old club was packed every day. I expect nothing less in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 10.29.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2010 14:08 |
| Story ID: | 59421 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,085 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, New Cherry Point staff, officers club commemorates Miller’s legacy, by Cpl Scott L. Tomaszycki, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
