The U.S. Army will hold a community listening session beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nutter Field House at Fort Leonard Wood. Everyone is welcome.
Organizers said a standing room only crowd would send a clear message that Fort Leonard Wood is very important to the region.
Community residents will have an opportunity to let U.S. Army leaders know what the impact of the proposed reductions would be and let it know what a great place Fort Leonard Wood and the communities are for soldiers and their families to live, work and play. The session will be led by BG Mark Inch, acting commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood. Also participating will be senior representatives of headquarters, U.S. Department of the Army.
Recently, community residents and supporters were asked to write or email the Army with comments concerning its proposed reduction of 3,900 military and civilian personnel at FLW. More than 2,300 letters and emails were sent to the U.S. Army in support of Fort Leonard Wood. In addition, the governor, senators and representatives, and many of the state legislators and department heads sent supportive letters. Local community leaders at the county, city and civic levels added their comments to those of businesses and universities.
The Army has responded to those letters and emails. Their response is available on the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP) website, www.SustainableOzarks.org. The Army agreed that the socioeconomic impact of the proposed reductions would be significant. However, this was the case with almost all communities that would experience reductions. An organizer said the U.S. Army needs to understand how devastating the proposed cuts would be and how great Fort Leonard Wood is. “This listening session is our chance to tell our story,” said an organizer.
According to a press release: “Nutter Field House seats more than 900 people. To have standing room only will require 1,000 people. This would be a historic number for this region. To reach these numbers, we need every reader to not only commit to coming to the session, but every reader needs to reach out to family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and fellow organization members to ask them to come as well. Please volunteer to drive them if necessary. The future of Fort Leonard Wood and its neighboring communities may be at stake.”
Nutter Field House is easy to reach. Have your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance card ready. All adults (16 or older) need to have drivers’ licenses or other picture ID Suggest allowing 40 minutes from the time you reach the gate until you are walking into the field house. Also, refreshments may not be available at Nutter.
If coming from St. Robert, go south on Missouri Avenue and come through the main gate. Continue down Missouri Avenue and stay on it when it turns into Constitution Avenue. Constitution tees into South Dakota Avenue. Turn right and then turn right again onto Iowa Avenue. Nutter Field House is on the right past the theater and USO.
If coming from Waynesville, take Highway H to the west gate and continue on Polla Road/Pulaski Avenue until you come to Missouri Avenue. Turn right, continue down Missouri Avenue and stay on it when it turns into Constitution Avenue. Constitution tees into South Dakota Avenue. Turn right and then turn right again onto Iowa Avenue. Nutter Field House is on the right past the theater and USO.
If coming in the south gate, continue north passing the airport and the National Guard Armory. After you cross South Dakota Avenue, look for the field house on the right.