Letter to the Editor - For Immediate Release

SUBJECT: Retain name Fort McClellan to honor its history

I understand from recent reports that the Joint Powers Authority is going to rename Fort McClellan, deleting "Fort" as if it never occurred, and just call the area McClellan. I do not understand why this is being done and think it is a very bad public relations move. In fact a visit to the Joint Powers Authority web site already features this name change on a real estate sign graphic which reads, "McClellan: A great place to live, work, learn & play" as if to suggest that the entire property is for sale and up for grabs.

Changing the name in this manner is like trying to wipe out the long and distinguished military history associated with Fort McClellan. It is also very confusing. Former military executives in business and industry searching the Internet for "Fort McClellan" may be shocked to find the JPA web site and learn that association with the military has been obliterated in this manner.

We should honor, respect and glorify the fact Fort McClellan was a military post; that at the time of its closure it was home to the U.S. Army Chemical School, the U.S. Army Military Police School, the Training Brigade, and the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute. These are very good associations known world wide. To have the audacity to wipe Fort McClellan's prestigious name off the face of the earth in this manner makes one question the sensibility of the commissioners who may have made this bad decision. This is especially true given the fact that primary reuse tenants will be the Justice Department's Center for Domestic Preparedness and Auburn University's Institute for Biological Detection Systems These institutions will be play a role vital to our national security and constitute our nation's first defense against domestic terrorist attacks. Assoication with Fort McClellan's heritage in this respect can only be positive!

I have said that the JPA should be commended for the fine work that they are doing. And they should! The task of planning for the reuse of Fort McClellan is a very difficult one, indeed. However, it should not be made more difficult by changing its name in such a way as to insult the memories of hundreds of thousands of fine soldiers who have done service in the area.

Even more disturbing is the fact that this action serves to lessen the memory of those interred upon hallowed grounds on the Fort Mc Clellan Military Cemetery. I understand from correspondence with Col. David F. Treuting, MP Garrison Commander, that there are some 367 families who have loved ones interred at Fort McClellan. Given that my father is one of these so honored, I am among those shocked to learn that JPA commissioners are changing Fort McClellan's name.

I urge members of the military community and public who are similarly shocked to express their outrage by contacting their representatives. Tell them to retain the name Fort McClellan; to keep it on the map and in our nation's kind and fond memory. I further urge all area residents to continue to refer to the former military post area as Fort McClellan. Also I propose that the military cemetery there be officially named Fort McClellan Military Cemetery and that this be declared a historical site with an appropriate historical marker and name engraved over the cemetery's entrance arch.

We can do no greater deed than to honor those who over the years have sacrificed so much for their country, often giving their very lives. Keeping the name Fort McClellan on the map is one way to forever remember and honor our soldier forefathers.

Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
6701 Winton Blont Blvd., #241035
Montgomery, AL 36124-1035
Date: 9 April 2000