Commander’s Message

Garrison Commander

Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem

Many didn’t believe this day would come. Even back on that Friday the 13th in 2005, when Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem were placed on the BRAC list, folks were feeling we would somehow “dodge the bullet.”

And yet, here we are, one week after casing our colors and 83 days from that historical date marking the end of Fort McPherson’s 126-year run and Fort Gillem’s transition to a military enclave.

Instead of focusing on the final day, we should remember with pride all that has taken place from 1885 and 1941 until 2011, that period you all have often heard me refer to as the “dash.” All of the Soldiers and civilians, along with your predecessors, have filled that dash with extraordinary contributions to our nation and its valuable people.

The one constant through the years has been your support countless servicemembers and support staff through inductions, separations, deployments and recovery. Thanks to your professionalism, Soldiers have had everything they needed to conduct various operations and Family members have received the best support you had to offer. Your tireless efforts make the task of garrison commander that much easier.

It has been my pleasure to serve as the 139th, and final, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison. I can only hope Col. Henry Closson, McPherson’s first garrison commander, had solid support like yours when he had to deal with the completion of sufficient facilities to accommodate a regimental headquarters. I know Col. Gerald Lord was able to rely on all his garrison support while moving units through the installation during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Since Col. Lord’s time, the Army has gone through a tremendous amount of change. Our forces have returned to Southwest Asia and we continue to support our troops as they now fight two wars there. And, we are on the cusps of the largest Army transformation since World War II " BRAC. I did not envision that transformation when I was on this historic post the first time, serving at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) under Gen. Thomas Schwartz.

I never imagined I would return here as the garrison commander nor that I would take the installations through their final three years of the BRAC process. There have been numerous events marking that process. We have attended decommissioning ceremonies for three historic chapels.

We have witnessed the casing of the colors for Third Army/U.S. Army Central, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Installation Management Command Southeast Region and First Army. Even today, FORSCOM will hold its casing ceremony at Building 200 and you are reading the last paper issue of the Sentinel.

In addition to these high-profile events, there are other actions taking place nearly unnoticed. We are drawing down facilities, consolidating resources and relocating activities. But rest assured, as equipment and property are removed from our areas, it is being relocated to other units and installations to benefit Soldiers, DA Civilians, Family members and contractors on other Army teams. In these final stages of closure, our focus remains clear. We must continue to support our tenant units, organizations and Families as they move to their next posts and continued responsibilities.

Customer service will remain a priority. I have been truly amazed at how resilient you, the Garrison Team, has been as you embrace change and prepare to branch out to new employment opportunities or choose to retire after serving our nation with distinction. Either way you go, you may press on with the pride of having carried high the banner passed to you by your predecessors.

That banner we cased for the final time last week after following it with dedication and duty, just as those who served before us did. A flag which, unlike our tenant commands’ colors, will be stored in the archives never to be flown again. While this is undoubtedly a sad time for us, we can stand tall in knowing we have done all we could to serve and can proudly declare “mission complete.”

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your commander and I wish for each of you all the best in your future endeavors.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for all you have done. One hundred and 26 years of service " and the Army will go rolling along.

Support and defend!