100 years of Fort Benning: A look at the post’s history, impact and its people
This series is sponsored by Aflac.
This October, Fort Benning will celebrate 100 years as an established military post.
In honor of the anniversary, the Ledger-Enquirer presents “Fort Benning 100 Years,” a 10-day series running in the newspaper and online from Oct. 19-28.
We’ll update this page each day with new stories, so keep it bookmarked and share it with friends and family who want to read more about the history of the post, its economic impact on the city, stories of the people who passed through, the post’s involvement in wars and more.
October 19: Benning history started in MidTown Columbus 100 years ago
Op-ed from retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett: He was in an Army hospital when a fortuneteller said his wife would soon walk in
October 20: Army invasion of Oakland Park in 1963: ‘They just showed up one day and started buying houses’
Op-ed from Grayhawk Homes President Dave Erickson: He was a champion Army shooter who ended up living where he only expected to train
October 21: From Benning general to civilian leader, Carmen Cavezza was ‘the perfect man for the perfect time’
Fort Benning’s value to Columbus economy estimated at ‘massive’ $4.8 billion per year
Op-ed from Lt. Gen. Eric Wesley: Strength of military comes in great part from ties between Columbus, Fort Benning
October 22: Weddings at Main Post Chapel: Army brat remembers her patriot day
Op-ed from Author Karen Spears Zacharias: Past in all its beauty and pain comes rushing back when recalling growing up
October 23: Films shot at Fort Benning brought John Wayne, Mel Gibson, movie magic to town
Op-ed from Attorney Bill Scrantom: Legal side of the Army has strong, important place on very special post
October 24: Lawyer, secessionist, soldier: Gen. Henry Benning won glory in a lost war
Op-Ed from Jeff Struecker, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus and a former U.S. Army Ranger: The moment Fort Benning and the Chattahoochee Valley fell in love
October 25: My Lai Massacre ‘still staggers me,’ prosecutor says, recalling Calley trial at Benning
Op-ed from Rufus Riggs, a retired command sergeant major and retired director of the Columbus Public Works Department: Retired Fort Benning personnel have become local leaders, economic contributors
October 26: War on terrorism has lasted longer than any conflict for U.S. military, official says
Op-ed from former Columbus Mayor and retired Col. Bob Poydasheff: It’s a fact, and a good one: Fort Benning is Columbus and Columbus is Fort Benning
October 27: What would the Columbus region have looked like without Fort Benning?
Op-ed from Susan Berry, a retired Civil Service employee at Fort Benning who served as an administrative officer to a number of commanding generals: Civilian workforce has faithfully stood alongside Fort Benning soldiers, its leaders
October 28: Future of Fort Benning includes global threats, looming BRAC round and robotics center
Fort Benning has always been Kenneth Leuer’s home away from home
Op-Ed from Maj. Gen. Gary M. Brito: Fort Benning’s long-lasting relationship with the Columbus area will continue to flourish
Fort Benning Videos
This story was originally published October 19, 2018 at 11:22 AM.