Congressman Christopher H. Smith, District 4 | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Christopher H. Smith, District 4 | Official U.S. House headshot
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 4, 2024, to mark the opening of a National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The event was attended by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith from the 4th District, staff of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim from the 3rd District, JBMDL mission partners, senior leaders of the New Jersey Army National Guard, design and construction leads from DRG Architects, AIA, Inc., DMD Contracting, LLC., and project managers from the NJDMAVA Construction & Facilities Maintenance Office.
“I am grateful for the support of the federal legislature and Governor Phil Murphy in prioritizing the funding for this project, and for the many teams that have guided this project from concept to reality in the last five years,” said Brig. Gen Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This facility gives our Soldiers a phenomenal foundation for the training that will prepare them for future calls of our state and nation.”
The nearly $16 million armory provides Soldiers of Bravo Company, 250th Brigade Support Battalion, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with a modern facility for maintenance operations, equipment storage, classroom training, and administration. The federally funded military construction project began in April 2022.
“The price of peace is eternal vigilance, and that is exactly what you are doing here,” Congressman Smith said to the Bravo Company command team. “Modern infrastructure like this new 40,000-square-foot Readiness Center is tangible evidence of the vital and ever-expanding role the Joint Base plays in defending freedom and ensuring the security of the United States.”
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou and U.S. Rep Christopher H. Smith cut the ribbon to officially open the center on January 4th.
“It is great to see our federal investment carry such an important project from concept all the way to ribbon cutting," said Congressman Kim in a statement. "I look forward to seeing the positive impact this Readiness Center has on servicemembers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for years to come."
The article originally appeared in Military Appreciation Resource Magazine's Spring/Summer edition.
Alerts Sign-up