Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC) Change of Command. Brigadier General Eric Schoomaker assumed command of DDEAMC and the Southeast Regional Medical Command from Major General Darrel Porr in a ceremony on June 11, 2002. Brigadier General Schoomaker has just returned from an assignment in Germany and is anxious to enhance the many partnerships that DDEAMC has with the Augusta medical community. Major General Porr was transferred to San Antonio, Texas, where he now commands the U.S. Army Medical Center and School at Fort Sam Houston.

Fort Gordon Change of Command. Brigadier General Jan Hicks, formerly the Fort Gordon Chief of Staff, is returning from an assignment with the US Pacific Command in Hawaii to assume command of the US Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon in a ceremony on August 7, 2002. Major General John P. Cavanaugh, the current commanding general, is retiring from military service.

Putting "U" in Augusta
This year's Newcomer's Day at Fort Gordon is scheduled for September 17, 2002, from Noon to 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for new soldiers and their families to become familiar with Augusta area businesses. Display tables and booths are provided free for companies to use to promote their products and services. Up to 50 businesses may participate. Chamber members will have priority. Businesses interested in participating should contact Latanza Duncan at 706-821-1318 or at lduncan@augustagausa.com.

What: Ft. Gordon Newcomer Event

When: Tuesday, September 17, Noon Ð 6:00 p.m.

Where: Ft. Gordon Reserve Training Center, 15th Street (see attached map)

Who: For additional information, please contact LaTanza Duncan at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce at 821-1318

This event is designed to welcome all in-processing soldiers and their families who have come to Ft. Gordon within the last six months. We would like to "take the community to Ft. Gordon" to let these soldiers know what the Augusta metro area has to offer. Please be prepared to provide your service at the event. Tables are 5' and banners, etc. are welcome.

Set-up for the event is September 17, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Please observe all traffic laws while on-post, you will be granted access through Gate 3.

Please fax back this form to LaTanza Duncan at 821-1330 to register your company as a participating vendor. We look forward to seeing you on September 17.

Military Benefits and Discounts. Show your support for the military! Citizen Newspapers, publishers of The Signal, will manage a listing of all businesses offering benefits or discounts to the military members of the community. This listing will be published regularly in The Signal, Fort Gordon's weekly newspaper, and military members and supporters will be encouraged to select these businesses first. To show your support and be included in this listing, provide your benefit or discount information to bonniet@thetruecitizen.com or mail it to P.O. Box 948, Waynesboro, GA 30830.

GMACC. The Governor's Military Affairs Coordinating Committee (GMACC) met at Robins Air Force Base on June 17 - 18, 2002. The GMACC permits representatives of Georgia's military installations and military communities to meet with state leaders to share ideas and solicit state assistance for issue resolution. Issues discussed at this meeting included the challenges of high-transition secondary education students, incentives to attract military retirees to Georgia, regional air service to military communities, and the impacts of mission increases and decreases on military installations in light of the upcoming round of base closures in 2005.

Contact Thom Tuckey, Consultant for Military Affairs, at 706-651-0018/19 or ttuckey@augustagausa.com for information or comments concerning military issues.