Merrimack Valley

101st Engineer Battalion to get new armory

By Jim Patten
jpatten@eagletribune.com
Published: June 23, 2009

METHUEN — Members of the 101st Engineer Battalion of the National Guard will have a new place to call home in about a year.

A groundbreaking was held in the rain yesterday for the construction of the new Methuen Readiness Center at 679 Lowell St., behind the existing National Guard armory.

The armory supports 190 soldiers from the 101st and 188th Engineers, who deployed to Iraq earlier this month.

The building is expected to be completed by the time they return next summer.

It will be a 69,000-square-foot, multistory structure, that will enable the National Guard to meet its readiness, recruiting and retention, and training objectives a National Guard spokesman said. It also will provide suitable storage and administrative areas, and a maintenance training bay.

The existing buildings at the site were built in 1913 and 1941, and are in need of renovation.

Officials said the old armory may be converted into a National Guard museum and a veterans outreach center.

U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Budget Committee, received the thanks of officials attending the groundbreaking for her work in securing the $22 million for the project.

Tsongas said the Massachusetts National Guard was playing an increasing role in overseas operations and in homeland security.

"Nearly 6,500 reservists have been mobilized since 9/11," Tsongas said. "For the National Guard to continue serving, it needs a modern building."

Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said 8,000 National Guard members statewide had stepped up to meet the needs of the country since 9/11.

"Thousands are serving overseas," he said.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Carter, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, said members of the 101st Engineer Battalion have served with honor and courage, and among them are eight Medal of Honor recipients.

"Today we gather in the shadow of history to begin a new chapter," Carter said.

The battalion has served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and also in Kosovo.

Mayor William Manzi said Methuen is a city that deeply values its commitments to its veterans. "The work of the Guard has never been more important," Manzi said.

The Headquarters Support Company, Forward Support Company, and the 181st Vertical Engineer Company, elements of the 101st Engineer Battalion, will call the new building home.

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