EDINBURGH, Ind. – Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard, hosted a dedication ceremony today in honor of former Gov. Mitch Daniels. Camp Atterbury dedicated its new barracks complex to Daniels, as he was a major part of the land acquisition exchange.
Umbarger said it was important for the thousands of civilian and military personnel training at Atterbury-Muscatatuk to know about the leadership Daniels provided in making the development possible.
“Special Forces, civilian law enforcement and first responders, all branches of our military, as well as militaries of other countries, train here regularly, they have some of the best possible resources this country can provide,” said Umbarger. “If not for the support and leadership of Mitch Daniels, they just would not have this.”
Back in October 2010, Daniels, along with the Indiana National Guard, the Indiana Department of Natural Resource and the Indiana Department of Corrections, signed an agreement to release nearly 1,200 acres of DNR land north of Camp Atterbury in exchange for approximately 2,000 acres at Putnamville Correctional Facility. The exchange provided the opportunity to revitalize portions of the original cantonment area.
“Of my years in elected office, I thought the highest honor and the highest duty was to the Indiana National Guard,” said Daniels. “None is more critical or deserving of our support than the mission, both domestic and nationally, that the Guard shoulders for us.”
The now president of Purdue University, Daniels told the crowd about Umbarger’s meetings with him as the Camp Atterbury - Muscatatuck initiative unfolded, and how the Indiana National Guard’s vision matched very closely the reality of the facilities today.
“The word vision is tossed around a little too much, but general, you had one, and it was just a great treat for many of us to help you make it real.”
Daniels said the economic impact in southeast Indiana has been appreciated, but Hoosiers understood that was only secondary to the real and significant purpose behind the development.
“First and foremost, Indiana is for what will serve the national security interests of the United States," said Daniels. “We will need men and women, like each of you, and all those who have come through here, and the ones that will for generations to come. You deliver to those brave men and women the kind of training, the kind of service, the kind of respect they deserve. I just want to express my heartfelt thanks.”
Photos and of the ceremony can be found on our website, Facebook, and DVIDS at this link: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/JFHQ-INNG
Date Taken: | 04.30.2015 |
Date Posted: | 05.01.2015 15:15 |
Story ID: | 161976 |
Location: | EDINBURGH, INDIANA, US |
Web Views: | 276 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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