WALLACE, N.C. -- An end of an era as a North Carolina National Guard veteran of war, numerous state active duty missions and hundreds of drill assembly's, and after more than 55 years of service begins a new mission; serve the town of Wallace, North Carolina.
This veteran is not a Soldier but was home to many as the NCNG’s armory in Wallace, since 1961. It officially became property of the town after a brief ceremony with town leaders on site here, June 29, 2016.
“We wanted to do this to help the community,” said Lt. Col. Rodney Newton, the NC Guard state construction and facilities manager.
Town leaders and public works staff stood as Newton turned the keys over to Mayor Charles Farrior, who drilled at the armory from 1969 to 1975.
“We could never afford as a town to build this, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Farrior.
Newton after the ceremony gave a tour of the facility to the new owners. Leaders fanned out, inspecting rooms and pouring over blueprints.
“You have to think of better ways to do more,” said David Hepler, a Wallace Town Council member.
The transfer of the Wallace NC Guard armory to the Town of Wallace saves the Guard money by not having to operate an underutilized facility and provides the town a new building that will support its citizens for decades to come.
The building was given to the city at no cost after it was no longer used to train Soldiers. The 13,400 square foot building will serve the town as offices for public works employees, as a supply warehouse and storage and maintenance area for city vehicles and equipment.
“It is a public landmark and people can see their dollars were used wisely,” said David Jordan, a Wallace town council member and mayor pro-tem.
Date Taken: | 06.30.2016 |
Date Posted: | 06.30.2016 15:02 |
Story ID: | 202887 |
Location: | WALLACE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 503 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NC Guard Armory Transferred to the Town of Wallace, by SFC Robert Jordan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.