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Handover Ceremony in Chestertown
The Maryland National Guard gave the keys to the armory in Chestertown, Md., to Washington College today at a formal ceremony for a symbolic transfer of ownership of the 82 year-old facility.
Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland talked about the service and sacrifice of all the Soldiers that have walked through the doors over the years. Mitchell B. Reiss, president of Washington College discussed the future plans for the building.
“This will be the home of our first phase of our waterfront campus,” said Reiss. “When we looked inside for the first time, we could see all kinds of uses for this facility. The potential was endless.”
About 50 people from the town witnessed the historic transfer. Many of the former members of the old 2nd Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment were on hand to talk about the good old days in the Sgt. 1st Class John H. Newnam Readiness Center.
“We all have put a lot of blood sweat and tears into this building,” said Ron Christopher, retired command sergeant major from the 115th. “Looking back, I am proud of all we accomplished here.”