Page 28 - Scene Magazine 42-06 June 2017

Business Perspectives
A Centennial Celebration set for Fort Custer Training Center
BY KARA BEER, President
“The original Camp Custer was built on 130 par- cels of land, mainly small farms leased to the government by the local Cham- ber of Commerce which raised funds
to pay the farmers their rent in advance, the organization acting as agent for the Government, but first going on record pledging itself to return to the Govern- ment any profit that might accrue from the transaction. After a two year grace period, the Army was allowed to buy the land for $98 an acre.”
On Friday, April 6, 1917, everything changed when President Wilson signed the joint resolution of Congress and the United States of America declared war on Germany.
Within three months construction be- gan on Camp Custer and on December 5
the completed camp was turned over to the government. In less than six months it became a complete military city of two thousand buildings, with comfortable quarters for 36,000 men, stretched its length over four miles of territory all at a cost of $8,000,000.
“This military city has its own water system, a sewer system, its own pave- ments, its central heating plants, its own hospital, bakery, laundry and all institu- tions that go to make a modern and san- itary city. A paved road was built con- necting it with Battle Creek.
“Camp Custer in 1918 covered, with its barracks, rifle range, drill grounds and quartermaster buildings, ten thousand acres – two hundred farmers vacated their land to make way for the needs of the nation.”
In 1918 the base hospital was doubled in size, to include more than 120 wards. 180 additional barracks were also built in 1918.
At its peak, the camp held more than 60,000 soldiers-to-be.
After World War I was over, the camp was used by a variety of military and governmental agencies.
In 1940 the name was changed to Fort Custer and it was designated a perma- nent military reservation.
During World War II, another 6,000 acres and additional barracks were add- ed to the site. The Fort continued to be a training site and was named headquar- ters of the Provost Marshall General’s 350th Military Police escort guard.
The Fort was also a processing center for prisoners of war and more than 4,000 German POWs were interned here, sev- eral of whom were buried at nearby Fort Custer National Cemetery.
In 1945 Percy Jones General Hospital took over the facility and converted the Fort into a rehabilitation center for more than 10,000 patients.
Fort Custer is currently an Army Na- tional Guard Training Center that pro- vides training opportunities and resourc- es for all branches of the military.
Join us as we celebrate 100 years of success. The ball will be held from 6-11pm Saturday, June 24 at McCamly Plaza Hotel located on 50 Capital Ave SW in Battle Creek, Michigan. The ball will be a black tie occasion and your ticket purchase includes dinner and dancing.
The pricing of the tickets are as follows... Military Pricing: • Retired Military/
Veteran – $87.50/ticket
• E1-E4 – $15/ticket
• E5-E7 & O1-O3 – $25/ticket
• E8-E9 & O4+ – $50/ticket Community Pricing: $100/ticket Corporate Table Sponsorships: $1,500 (table of 8, includes recognition at the event and in the program)
You can purchase the tickets online through the Battle Creek Area Cham- ber’s Facebook event page link or call the Chamber itself (269) 962-4076 for more information. If you happen to be traveling distance, there is also a room block at McCamly Plaza Hotel for $98 per night for your convenience. Call (269) 963-7050 to reserve a room.
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• Conveniently located in downtown Battle Creek.
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• Attorneys and support staff all live in the greater Battle Creek area.
• Our regional resources can help you meet your growth needs.
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