By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
FORT JACKSON, S.C. – Members of the Gateway to the Army Association gathered, Tues, Jan. 7, on the site of Centennial Park at Fort Jackson to inspect and discuss the ongoing $2.7-million pavilion-amphitheater project.
Construction has begun on the five-acre park site located about a mile inside Gate 2 near Forest Dr. and I-77. The Association has already raised $1.6 million. And the 330-seat amphitheater is already beginning to take shape.
Through both monetary and in-kind construction support, Centennial Park will feature its grand amphitheater along with a towering monument depicting two drill sergeants (one male, one female), six Greek-styled visitors pavilions, a brick-paved “pathway of patriots,” a wartime theater montage and much more.
“This is a project that will not only enhance the landscape of this historic post, but it pays tribute to the families of the soldiers who have trained here, the soldiers themselves and their drill sergeants,” says Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Marty Wells, who serves as Gateway’s chairman.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who serves on Gateway’s Board of Advisors, agrees.
“Centennial Park will be easily accessible to visitors and enjoyed by all,” says Lott, who also serves as both commander of the S.C. State Guard and as the Fort Jackson-Palmetto State Chapter president of the Association of the United States Army. “This project is essentially an extension of our Midlands-area communities honoring the 100-year anniversary of Fort Jackson which we celebrated in 2017.”
Established in May 2015, the Gateway to the Army Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of designing, funding, and building Centennial Park.
Established in 1917 during the early days of America’s entry into World War I, Fort Jackson is today the largest U.S. Army basic training facility in the nation. The 103-year-old post also serves as home to numerous other key military activities involving all other U.S. armed forces. It generates more than $4,000,000 in annual revenue for Columbia, the Midlands and the state of South Carolina.
– Pictured L-R are Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. Maria Yturria, Sheriff Lott, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Abe Turner, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Marty Wells, and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) George Goldsmith.
For more information, please visit https://www.gatewaytothearmy.org.
