Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center

By SFC Joel QuebecFebruary 12, 2013

Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
1 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
2 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Gill Beck, commanderof the 81st Regional Support Command, speaks to Robert Bridges, Mayor of Statham, Georgia, just before the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
3 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Gill Beck, commanderof the 81st Regional Support Command, speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer T... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
4 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A brand new Army Reserve Center opens in Statham, Georgia. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on February 9 with the units in attendance as wel as their families and supporters from the community. The facility will be home to the 228th Truck Compan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
5 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 939th Cargo Transfer Company stands fast during the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Detachment, 525th Tr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
6 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 514th Trailer Transfer Detachment stands fast during the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th and 525th Trailer Transfer Detac... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
7 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 228th Truck Company stands fast during the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Detachment, 525th Trailer Tra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
8 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Statham Mayor Robert Bridges, speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve Center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Detachment, 525th Trailer Tran... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
9 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. David Delgado, Jr., 228th Truck Company commander, speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Det... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
10 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. David Delgado, Jr., 228th Truck Company commander, speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Det... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
11 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. David Delgado, Jr., 228th Truck Company commander, speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Det... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
12 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The ribbon is cut during a ceremony for the official opening of a new Army Reserve center in Statham, Georgia on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Trailer Transfer Detachment, 525th Trailer Transfer Detachmen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
13 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Just after a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Army Reserve center on February 9 in Statham Georgia, Senator Frank Ginn, 2nd from left, presented a Georgia flag to the facility and 228th Truck Company commander Capt. David Delgado, Jr. Also picture... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
14 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ribbon cutting for new Statham Army Reserve Center
15 / 15 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class John Booker of the 228th Truck Company gives guests a tour of the new Statham Army Reserve Center in Statham, Ga. just after the ribbon cutting ceremony on February 9. The new facility will be home to the 228th Truck Company, 514th Tra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

STATHAM, Ga. -- The 81st Regional Support Command hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Army Reserve Center in Statham, Ga., on February 9, 2013.

This $11 million, 52,393 sq. ft. facility includes a 42,632 sq. ft. Reserve Center, a 7,361 sq. ft. maintenance facility, described as a mechanic's dream, and a 2,400 sq. ft. storage building and will house four reserve units; the 228th Truck Company, 939th Cargo Transfer Company and the 514th and 525th Trailer Transfer Detachments.

81st RSC commander Maj. Gen. Gill Beck welcomed the Soldiers of the units and thanked them for their service. "We are in the presence of some great heroes," he said. "Many of them wear a combat patch indicating that they have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, but all of them wear the uniform of the U.S. Army and reflect dedication that each of these Soldiers have made to our nation." Beck talked about the strength of the Soldier being the family and thanked the many family members present at the ceremony for showing their support for the troops who would soon occupy the new building. "I am very, very encouraged by what I see today with these Soldiers and their commitment to our nation and the community's commitment to them."

"I look at this building," said Army Reserve Ambassador Alan Bell, "this really speaks to the fruits of our labor that the Army Reserve has put in to this country since 9-11. We have really gone to the mat since this war started. The way we repay you [the Soldiers] is through our facilities, giving you places that you feel proud to come to and serve."

Statham Mayor Robert Bridges also welcomed the troops saying, "I can't think of any better honor than to have the Army Reserve Center here in Statham."

As of August 2012, there were only about 30 Soldiers attending battle assembly at the Athens location. There were over 100 in formation at the ceremony representing the four units that will eventually number approximately 370 in total.

"The Soldiers have always heard that we're getting a new building," said Capt. David Delgado, Jr., commander of the 228th. "At times I don't think they actually believed me, but what a wonderful facility it is, something truly for these Soldiers to be proud of. This building represents what they deserve."

The new facility will replace the aging center in Athens where the new units were formed in mid-2012.