Atlanta, Ga., July 16, 2016 – The 121st Infantry Regiment, Georgia Army National Guard, hosted a military ball Saturday at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel to celebrate its storied history.
Arthur Blank, owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United, chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and co-founder of The Home Depot attended as the guest speaker for the event and was made an honorary commander of the regiment.
Georgia National Guard’s Adjutant General, Brigadier General Joe Jarrard was grateful for Mr. Blank’s attendance and his long-time support of the military.
“Mr. Blank and his businesses have supported our nation’s military throughout the years, and we’re proud to have him here with us,” said Jarrard. “Through initiatives like the Atlanta Falcons’ player visits to our military bases and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s donations to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, he has demonstrated his love and commitment to our men and women in uniform as well as our military families.”
Individuals are selected as honorary commanders because of their position or influence in the community, and their ability to foster awareness and public support for the military and its service members.
The 121st Infantry Regiment is represented by three battalions in the Georgia National Guard, and traces its history back to 1917, although some of its units pre-date the Civil War. 121st regimental unit armories are located throughout the state of Georgia, and their parent organization, the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recently became an associated unit with Fort Stewart’s 3rd Infantry Division.