The timeline to closure hit a major marker Wednesday, when the official countdown to closure reached less than 100 days. Only 97 more days remain until the base closes this September.

The frantic pace of the closure was apparent in the multiple ceremonies held this past week.

Four different units " the Garrison Battalion, the U.S. Army Reserve Command, First Army and Third Army/U.S. Army Central (Third Army) " all cased their colors. Third Army also welcomed a new commander, Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks, onto their team while bidding their previous commander, Lt. Gen. William Webster, farewell and a happy retirement. Webster leaves with 37 years of service.

The week also saw the closure of the Fort McPherson Post Chapel Sunday and Cantonment Chapel Tuesday. Though both buildings closed, worship services will still continue through July 31. Services will be conducted in the Post Theater, with Catholic Mass being observed at 9:30 a.m. and Protestant services at 11 a.m.

The full calendar will continue into these final days. Next week, the biggest event will be the celebration of the 236th Army birthday June 17.

To celebrate this event, the U.S. Army Garrison Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation will host a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. Registration costs $5 but is only necessary for those who want a T-shirt. Individuals can register the day of the race, from 7:30 until 8:15 a.m., but can only register on race day with cash only. Individuals are encouraged to register early at either the Neal Fitness Center (Bldg. 700) on Fort Gillem or the Fort McPherson Fitness Center (Bldg. 421). Later in the day, the Garrison will case its colors at 11 a.m. in front of the Garrison Headquarters (Bldg. 65) on the Cobb Street side. A cake cutting and cook out at Jacobs Park will follow beginning at noon. All of this is just the Garrison’s way of saying thank you to all the Soldiers and Civilian employees for the job you have all been doing during this frantic pace.