Grand Prairie, Texas - U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, Democratic representative for the 33rd District of Texas, visited the Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex on Feb. 20, 2018, to tour the complex and meet with U.S. Army Reserve and Marine Reserve servicemembers.
Among those in attendance to welcome Veasey were Maj. Gen. Brian Alvin, Commanding General of the 63rd Readiness Division, Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen, Candis Martin, Army Reserve Ambassador from Texas, and John Caraway, South Central Regional Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Veasey, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, began his visit with mission briefings from Maj. Gen. Alvin and Col. Todd Erskine, 300th Sustainment Brigade Commander and senior mission commander of the Complex. A walking tour followed where Veasey openly engaged with various members of the Army Reserve, the Marine Reserve and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
"It is his first visit here to the Complex, the largest military footprint in his district." said Col. Lewis Knapp, 63rd Readiness Division Congressional Legislative Liaison. "It is important to us because we get to share the Army Reserve story here at Grand Prairie, build relationships between our senior leaders and the Mayor's and Congressman's offices, and reaffirm relations with other military and civilian tenants on the Complex."
The congressman also held an open forum with Soldiers, Marines and Family members to talk about various community issues, and address challenges facing military servicemembers.
"I thought it was a great opportunity to meet the congressman." said Master Sgt. Barbara Bossier, support operations non-commissioned officer in charge, 300th Sustainment Brigade.