Military Academy Recruiting Event Tomorrow

The U.S. Service Academies will be holding an information session for students interested in attending one of the five military service academies. The event will be held at the MG Maurice Rose Armed Forces Reserve Center on Saturday, September 8th, from 9AM to 12:00PM.

Representatives from the Military Academy (West Point), the Naval Academy (Annapolis), the Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs), the Coast Guard Academy (New London), and the Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) will each give a brief presentation, and then be available to answer specific questions from both students and parents on their admissions processes.

In addition, representatives from the CT National Guard, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and Norwich University (Northfield, VT) will be present to discuss other options for military service. Representatives from the Connecticut Congressional delegation will be available to answer questions on each office's nomination process.

The event occurs annually, and is free and open to all Connecticut students and recent high school graduates who are interested in applying to a military service academy.

Video of General Maurice Rose Armed Forces Reserve Center Dedication

Middletown resident and Eye fan John Brush submitted the following video of the dedication speeches given at the ribbon cutting of the General Maurice Rose Army Reserve Center that opened last week. More about this Center can be found in the previous Eye blog post here:

Eye on a Fellow Blogger: John Brush also writes several blogs with Middletown themes. He has covered local politics & elections, civic events ( some with video!) as well as national issues with commentary. Read Mr. Brush's blogs: His first is mostly politically themed; "Steady Habits" here: & "Right of the Middle" here: featuring local observations- featuring arts, entertainment, environmental issues, nature photos (great birds featured on page 2) and civic happenings.

Army Base Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Tonight

The ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new Armed Forces Reserve Center will occur this evening. All members of the public are invited to attend.

The Center is being named in honor of Maj. Gen. Maurice Rose.

December 10th, 2011, Saturday, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Intersection of Smith St. and Industrial Park Rd.
(adjacent and west of I-91, between exits 20 & 21)
Start: 6:00 pm (suggest arriving at 5:30) - indoors
End: about 7:15
Then reception with refreshments

Major General Maurice Rose was a remarkable man.
He was born in Middletown on November 26, 1899, the son and grandson of Rabbis. He enlisted in the Army in 1917 and fought in the infantry in France. In World War II, Rose was given command of the 3rd Armored Division, and led it fearlessly, often from the front lines of combat. He was killed in action 3 weeks before the end of the war.

Major General Maurice Rose was a remarkable soldier. His Division was nicknamed "The Spearhead", Rose led the 3rd Armored on an advance of 100 miles in one day, a record for mechanized warfare. He was the highest ranking American to be killed by enemy fire in World War II. At the time, he was the highest ranking Jew in the Army.

Finally, he must have been the highest ranking soldier in the last century who called our city his home. It is a fitting tribute to his accomplishments and his memory that the Armed Forces Reserve Center is named in his honor.

The Third Armord Division takes great pride in their former commander, and the naming of the base in our city in his honor. Their web page has more information and photos.

Notice of Public Comment Period for Army Wetlands Mitigation

The Army Corps of Engineers has completed their Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed acquisition of of 53.8 acres at 218 Boardman Lane in regards to the off-site compensatory wetland mitigation area for the new Reserve Training Facility. This means that the 30-day public review and comment period has started. The end of the public comment period is JULY 29.

Here is a link to the EA / Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) which is the document and appendices that are for review and comment:

http://www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/brac/env_ea_review.htm

Copies of the EA can also be viewed at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT 06457.

Newspaper Notices:

Hartford Courant:

http://www.mypublicnotices.com/Courant/PublicNotice.asp?Page=PublicNoticePrint&AdID=1967926

Middletown Press:

http://middletownpress.ca.kaango.com/ads/viewad?adid=17096350

If you have any comments, please submit them through Ms. Laura Dell'Olio before July 29, 2010.

For additional information, to obtain copies of the documents, or to submit comments on the documents, contact:

Ms. Laura Dell'Olio, BRAC Environmental Coordinator at: (609) 562-7661.

The mailing address is:

Ms. Laura Dell'Olio

99th Regional Support Command c/o Innovar Environmental Inc.

5231 South Scott Plaza

Fort Dix, NJ 08640

or e-mail: laura.dellolio@usar.army.mil