FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Members of the Williamsburg Area Chamber and Tourism Alliance Community Leadership Service program toured Fort Eustis, April 1. Fort Eustis personnel gave participants a unique perspective of the installation's missions, units and role in the Hampton Roads community.
Visitors received a presentation on the many missions performed by various units on the installation, including the Simulations Center, the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) waterborne operations at 3rd Port, the 128th Aviation Brigade helicopter maintenance facility and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command headquarters.
"This is a group of senior community members who want to find out all about what is going on in our local community," said Ted Juraschek, CLS program committee member. "With this program and these tours, new retirees have an opportunity to really see where they can use their skills to help out and make our community a wonderful place to live."
As part of the visit, participants drove simulated forklifts and cranes at the Simulation Center, to better understand the training Advanced Individual Training Soldiers go through to perform their duties.
Members ended the day with a tour through TRADOC headquarters and a presentation given by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark MacCarley, TRADOC Deputy Chief of Staff.
"There are no better ambassadors and spokespeople for our military than the local community members," said MacCarley. "What we as Service members do is unique so we appreciate the opportunity to teach them and gain supporters from the community."
Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Walter Doran, a tour attendee, said he believes visits on military installations in the community are important for community leaders to gain an understanding of what the military does, the environment Service members operate in, and their needs.
"Seeing military leadership and young Soldiers learning and working in their environment creates a vivid picture for community leaders," said Doran. "That understanding strengthens the partnership between the military installation and the surrounding communities."