The Mississippi National Guard is believing the third time is a charm.
The National Guard Armory held its grand reopening Saturday to celebrate the rebuilding of its structure, which was destroyed by the Dec. 23, 2014, tornado. The armory that was destroyed by the tornado was built because the previous armory had been badly damaged when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
Military figures and dignitaries all gathered despite the rainy weather for the event this weekend.
“This unit is an engineering unit so having a facility like this one will really help prepare them,” Major General Janson D. “Durr” Boyles, adjutant general of Mississippi, said.
“I am impressed with the facility. This is quite a structure for the National Guard,” he said. “You can’t beat the location. If we are positioned for a hurricane, this is a key location for us to muster troops, have them sit out the hurricane and then move out to help as needed.”
Boyles said having an engineering unit is vital when it comes to hurricane recovery.
“We are fortunate to have the Guard here in Columbia,” Lt. Col. Paul Lyon said.
Lyon, who is the commander of the Guard’s 150th Brigade Engineer Battalion, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jim Barry on Sunday in Meridian at the battalion headquarters.
Lyon added, “It is built to withstand high winds. It is built to be a shelter. Not only is it a place to use to train, but it is a place to use for a natural disaster.”
Mayor Justin McKenzie joked, “A lot of communities are going to wish they have a facility like this and that’s OK.”
The 26,000 square-foot-facility took 18 months to build and cost $15 million. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and generators to handle any potential natural disaster.
Among the dignitaries who attended were State Rep. Ken Morgan and State Sen. Angela Hill. Both Morgan and Hill had nothing but praises for the building.
Following the ceremony, tours of the facility were given and lunch was provided.
Pictured Above: Mississippi National Guardsmen from Company A, 150th Battalion stand in formation Saturday while speakers dedicate the new armory. Officials said it’s a key facility for mustering troops to help in the event of a hurricane. | Photo by Susan Amundson
