Athens, Ga., saying goodbye to Navy school
Associated Press
07/30/10 1:55 PM EDT
ATHENS, GA. — The U.S. Navy Supply Corps School is about to depart from Athens, and a 57-day series of events is planned to salute its 57 years in the city.
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Heidi Davison, University of Georgia President Michael Adams and the school's commander, Capt. William Hayes, announced the 57-day farewell at a news conference on the Navy School campus Thursday.
Davison said the city will hang 57 banners commemorating the Navy School's contribution to the community.
Georgia football fans will be treated to a Navy jet flyover at the first home game of the season Sept. 4.
The base will open its gates Sept. 17 for a picnic and community celebration.
After a final graduation ceremony Oct. 29, only a small number of Navy personnel will remain.
"We wish we could stay longer, but that's just not the case," said Hayes, himself a graduate of the school.
The base exchange, a store for military personnel, and a few other facilities will remain open until January, partly to serve military retirees in the area, he said.
Maintenance crews also will remain to keep the buildings and grounds in good shape until UGA Physical Plant crews take over.
A committee planning the long goodbye decided to stage the events in August, September and October rather than in 2011, when the base will be transferred to UGA.
The campus eventually will house the joint UGA-Medical College of Georgia medical partnership, which is set to begin classes with its first group of 40 medical students Aug. 9 at a refurbished pair of mill buildings
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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com
