Community leaders held a reception Friday evening at Bryant Commons for Fort Stewart’s new military leaders. The reception focused on Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield’s new U.S. Army Garrison commander and command sergeant major, Col. Kevin Gregory and Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Felicioni, as well as the 3rd Infantry Division’s deputy commanding general-rear, Col. John Hort, and 3rd ID rear detachment Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy L. Pegues.

Hosted by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, the two-hour casual event was described by chamber CEO Leah Poole as a “meet-and-greet” event, a chance for Stewart’s new military leaders and community leaders to get to know each other. In addition to chamber members, representatives from several civic organizations attended, including the Hinesville Military Affairs Committee, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 46 and Friends of Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.

Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas, City Manager Billy Edwards, as well as Brooke Childers, district representative for Congressman Jack Kingston, and Luis Carreras, Army Reserve Ambassador, attended the event.

“There is no agenda for this event, no business to discuss,” Poole said. “It’s just an opportunity for our new military leaders to meet members of the community and vice versa. We want to make these new folks feel welcome.”
Live music provided by Daffani Eller and Dustin Long and hors d’oeuvres provided by Poole’s Delhi kept the event low-key as leaders mingled and talked in small groups in the banquet room of the museum building.