Gateway to the Army Association Board Chairman Cmd. Sgt. Major (ret) Marty Wells and Ron Clamp of Memorial Design from Pelion, South Carolina signed the contract at the Historic First Responder & Military Service Members Memorial at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
The Gateway to the Army Association plans on raising over the next 18 months more than $3 million through financial and in-kind donations as well as sales of commemorative pavers in order to dedicate the park in mid-2017, the 100th Anniversary of the post’s founding.
The invitingly landscaped park will include an amphitheater, a statue depicting two soldiers (male and female drill sergeants), a pathway listing patriots, and a memorial area listing the wartime theaters in which Fort Jackson soldiers have served. Association board members are chairman Cmd. Sgt. Maj. (ret) Marty Wells, vice-chairman Bill Eisile, secretary Col. (ret) Sam Brick, treasurer Col. (ret) Gene Gordon, Cmd. Sgt. Maj. (ret) Ron Friday, Maj. Gen. (ret) George Goldsmith, Dan Hennigan, Col. (ret) Bryan Hilferty, Tom Sliker, Ted Stambolitis and Maj. Gen. (ret) Abe Turner.
Honorary board members are Alex English, NBA Hall of Famer; local realtor Jennifer Harding; Richland County Sherriff Leon Lott; Midlands television personality Joe Pinner; Lexington Chamber of Commerce CEO Otis Rawl, Sgt. Maj. of the Army (ret) Jack Tilley, and the only retired Army four star general in the Midlands, Gen. (ret) Fred Woerner.
Centennial Park will be a living green space designed to enhance family gatherings during Family Day activities and Initial Entry Training graduations. It is also intended to host military events and ceremonies, as well as a place where Soldiers and civilians alike can unwind and reflect. The Greek revival style park and memorials were designed by Ron Clamp and are being built to create a seemingly timeless tribute to those who serve and have served our Nation.
Initial corporate sponsors to the association include iHeartMedia, Wells Fargo, USAA, the Lexington County Blowfish, the Lexington County Chronicle, and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. For more information, to buy a paver, to donate, or to see sketches of the park design, go to www.gatewaytothearmy.org