As he closed out his three years as garrison commander at Fort Gordon, Col. John Holwick tried to get the last laugh. "I helped you hide the skeletons in the closet so be very afraid, be very afraid," said Holwick, who heads to Washington, D.C., to become the inspector general for Installation Management Command.
His successor, Col. Glenn Kennedy, however, had a moment of levity after Holwick finished his speech. Kennedy pondered about who to complain to in the IG's office about his predecessor. Holwick spent three years shaping the face of Fort Gordon. "Three years ago, Fort Gordon looked the same as it did in the 1980s, the 1970s and the 1960s," he said.
When Holwick took over from Col. Karen Adams, there were two construction projects underway, and barracks upgrades consisted of wrapping insulation around pipes. Three years later, there are 310 new homes. "The occupancy rate is 96 percent; before, you couldn't get people to live on post," he said.
Also, barracks upgrades have been taking place at a phenomenal rate, and training barracks upgrades have been added to the list. There's a new law enforcement center and new child development centers on the way.
Dave Tindoll, director of the Southeast Region Installation Command, said Holwick has done much for the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families at Fort Gordon. He said Holwick worked hard to make sure the Army Family Covenant became a reality at Fort Gordon, and programming at locales such as the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, Gordon Lakes Golf Course and Gordon Lanes have enhanced quality of life issues. Tindoll also credited Holwick's wife, Kyong, for all of her dedication to Army Families.
Kyong Holwick served on the board of the Fort Gordon Service Club and volunteered with Christmas House. "Her grace, perseverance and giving heart expresses the true meaning of volunteerism," said Tindoll.
As the Holwicks leave, Kennedy assumes command of the garrison. Kennedy is no stranger to the Augusta area. Born into a military Family, Kennedy said he didn't really consider any place his hometown until he moved to Augusta in 1977. "I graduated from Evans High in 1982," he said. "I identified with Augusta as my hometown."
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