FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov.4 2015) -- Abrams Hall, Fort Benning's new 860-room hotel, was dedicated Oct. 30 in a ribbon cutting ceremony staged in front of the sprawling complex.

The vision for Abrams Hall, which was completed in September, began in 2005 when the Armor School moved to Fort Benning from Fort Knox, Kentucky, because the existing infrastructure was unable to support the growth in students and transitioning Family members, said Steve Thiele, the emcee for the dedication ceremony.

Abrams Hall, which replaces Olson Hall, includes 740 extended stay rooms, 60 suites and 60 standard rooms. The property also boasts 505 parking spaces.

It is meant to facilitate the professional and personal needs of Soldiers and Family members by providing lodging where Soldiers can study, prepare and recover while they complete training at Fort Benning.

The building is named for Gen. Creighton Abrams Jr., former Army chief of staff who led the Army in the final stages of the Vietnam War.

Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, said Abrams always led by example.

"He led from the front in the fight, never asking his men to sacrifice something that he wasn't willing to sacrifice as well," Miller said.

Abrams' son, Gen. Robert Abrams, 22nd commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces Command, called Abrams Hall a "magnificent facility."

"It's a true testament to our father's legacy and the impact he had on the Army," Abrams said.

Abrams said if he could sum up his father's life in a single phrase it would be "selfless service."

"He understood that service to our country is a privilege and it takes extraordinary Americans who are willing to step forward to serve their country in peace and in war, to defend our country and what its stands for," Abrams said. "So this dedication ceremony today is a great way to honor him, his service and those he served with."

Abrams said some might ask why Fort Benning would name a lodging facility for Soldiers and Families in Gen. Creighton Abrams' honor, but to the Abrams Family, who saw their father deploy for eight years, with five consecutive years in Vietnam, it makes perfect sense.

"Our father used to say Soldiers are not in the Army; Soldiers are the Army. From our Families perspective, our father dedicated his entire adult life to serving Soldiers from all ranks. This facility will be an opportunity for all to learn about the life of an old Soldier who may have faded away, but his legacy and impact on our Army continues to this day," Abrams said.