The response was immediate, overwhelming and from the heart. Within minutes of Hannah being reported missing, a massive groundswell of support began and continued day and night into the afternoon of April 29. That support included hundreds of individuals who formed volunteer search parties, and included the Columbia County EMA Mobile Operations Center; the Columbia and Richmond County Sheriff’s Offices and Canine Units; the Richmond County Dive Team; and Georgia State Patrol elements consisting of the dive team-SWAT Division, the Grovetown barracks division, and the Aviation Unit which provided helicopter search capability.

The events of that fateful period reinforce that our community is very special. I know that I speak for all of Fort Gordon’s 25,000 service members, families, civilians and contractors when I say that we are very fortunate to be part of this great community.

God bless you all and thank you.

Maj. Gen. Alan R. Lynn

Augusta

(The writer is the commanding general of the U.S. Army Signal Center of Excellence; the Chief of Signal for the U.S. Army Signal Corps; and the senior mission commander for Fort Gordon.)

Maj. Gen. Alan R. Lynn