U.S. Army Reserve

Senior leaders from First Army and the 85th Support Command pause for a photo during the final day of the first portion of the New Command Orientation Brief held in Arlington Heights, Illinois, October 15-16, 2016. The briefing allowed for active component leaders to receive a better understanding of support provided from the 85th Support Command and ensuring that these commander’s Army Reserve battalions and individual soldiers are mission ready. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aaron Berogan/Released)

Army Reserve Col. Robert Cooley, Deputy Commander, 85th Support Command, gives remarks to First Army senior leaders during the First Army New Command Team Orientation Brief, held at the 85th Support Command headquarters, October 15, 2016. The briefing allowed for active component leaders to receive a better understanding of support provided from the 85th Support Command and ensuring that these commander’s Army Reserve battalions and individual soldiers are mission ready. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aaron Berogan/Released)

From left, Rick Sewell, the deputy commission for the Homewood Police Department, Col. Edward Merrigan, commander, 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, Congresswoman Robin Kelly from Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District and Tamara Jordan, the veteran’s representative for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the re-opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Army Reserve Center in Homewood, Illinois, October 15.

The newly re-opened Vietnam Veterans Memorial Army Reserve Center in Homewood, Illinois, recently completed a $15 million renovation and expansion. Included in the upgrades is a solar array that helps power entire facility.

HOMEWOOD, Illinois (October 15, 2016) – The newly re-opened Vietnam Veterans Memorial Army Reserve Center in Homewood, Illinois, recently completed a $15 million renovation and expansion. The facility was officially re-opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony October 15. The new center has geothermal and solar power energy sources; life, health and safety code enhancements; additional parking spaces and enhanced force protection measures. The facility also doubled in square footage as there is now more than 37,000 square feet of space.

HOMEWOOD, Illinois (October 15, 2016) – Col. Kurt Wagner, director of the Directorate of Public Works for 88th Regional Support Command, talks about the improvements made to the newly re-opened Vietnam Veterans Memorial Army Reserve Center in Homewood, Illinois, October 15. Wagner heads up the 88th RSC organization that is tasked with maintaining the more than 275 facilities across the 19-state region from Ohio to Washington state.

First Army and 85th Support Command staffs discuss reserve-component systems during the New Command Team Orientation Brief at the 85th Support Command headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 15, 2016. Incoming First Army brigade command teams received briefs from 85th Support Command leaders on reserve-component processes and programs to help them support the readiness of Army Reserve battalions operationally controlled by First Army. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony L. Taylor, First Army Public Affairs)

Brig. Gen. Chris Gentry, First Army’s Deputy Commanding General - Support, speaks during the New Command Team Orientation Brief at the U.S. Army Reserve's 85th Support Command headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 15, 2016. Incoming First Army brigade command teams received briefs from 85th Support Command leaders on reserve-component processes and programs to help them support the readiness of Army Reserve battalions operationally controlled by First Army. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony L. Taylor, First Army Public Affairs)

The command team and Operations staff assigned to 3rd Battalion, 335th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, First Army discuss training and mobilization plans during a mobilization assessment brief at the 85th Support Command headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 15, 2016. Leaders of Army Reserve training support and logistic support battalions operationally controlled by First Army attended the brief ahead of their upcoming mobilizations as observer coach/trainers to support First Army’s mission to train Army Reserve and Army National Guard units. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony L. Taylor, First Army Public Affairs)

U.S. Army Reserve soldiers with the 335th Signal Command (Theater) stand at attention for a changing of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, outgoing commander of the 335th relinquished command to Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse at the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

(From left) U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, outgoing commander of the 335th Signal Command (Theater), Maj. Gen. David J. Conboy, USAR deputy commanding general, and Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse, incoming commander of the 335th, prepare to take the field for a change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Bulla, of Loganville, Ga., the 335th Signal Command (Theater) color guard noncommissioned officer in charge, holds the command flag during rehearsals for a change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Peter A. Bosse, incoming commander of the 335th Signal Command (Theater), speaks to the assembled crowd after accepting command of the 335th at a ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. David J. Conboy, USAR deputy commanding general, hands the command flag to Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse, incoming commander of the 335th Signal Command (Theater) as Brig. Gen. Christopher R Kemp, outgoing commander, looks on during a change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Army Spc. Hajji Golightly, of Los Angeles, Cali., a help desk administrator for the 335th Signal Command (Theater), executes semaphore flag signals during a changing of command ceremony for Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, outgoing commander of the 335th, and Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse, the incoming commander, at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Reserve Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, outgoing commander of the 335th Signal Command (Theater), shares a laugh with some of his comrades at his change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. Kemp relinquished command of the 335th to Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse at the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

Officers with the U.S. Army Reserve’s 335th Signal Command (Theater) salute during a change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. U.S. Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, outgoing commander, relinquished command of the 335th to Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse at the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, outgoing commander of the 335th Signal Command (Theater), speaks to the soldiers on the field during his change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. Kemp relinquished command of the 335th to Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Peter A. Bosse at the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

A cannon detail with the 335th Signal Command (Theater) stands at attention during a change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Bulla (behind flag), and Sgt. Gerald Willis - both members of the 335th Signal Command (Theater) color guard - case the American flag after a change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson, Ga., Oct. 15, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Scar)