Family and friends of President Dwight D. Eisenhower will attend the Oct. 27 redesignation of Augusta’s Army base to Fort Eisenhower.
Eisenhower’s granddaughters Susan Eisenhower and Mary Jean Eisenhower are attending the ceremony, along with leaders from across the Department of Defense, according to a news release from the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence.
The World War II general who served as president from 1953-1961 is the post’s new namesake. The redesignation is an honor to him and “his admiration for the Augusta area, a community that he found solace in throughout his presidential years,” the release stated.
Military leaders including Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth and Chair of the Congressional Naming Commission Ret. Navy Adm. Michelle Howard will attend the 10 a.m. ceremony at Barton Field.
“Rising from second lieutenant to commander-in-chief, Eisenhower’s extensive, innovative and effective military experience and leadership shaped our modern world,” said U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton.
“His dedication to ensuring equal rights for soldiers and citizens alike continues to be an example and inspiration for the present and future soldiers of the Army he so faithfully served and decisively led,” Stanton said. “Gen. Eisenhower epitomizes those values we continue to instill in our soldiers today.”
The 10 a.m. ceremony is open to Department of Defense ID card holders and invited guests. The event will be live-streamed on the Cyber Center of Excellence Facebook page.
Fort Gordon, located primarily in Richmond County, was one of nine U.S. Army bases named for Confederate generals. The naming commission selected Eisenhower’s name for the post last year.
