CHATHAM (WSLS10) -Â As the military fanfare, including music and speeches, solidified the bittersweet closing of the Chatham Armory building so, too, did the emotions for those with memories that will be forever tied to the building.
"I joined this unit March 10th, 1979. It was a field artillery unit. Close knit, very small unit. Local, home town group of guys," Command Sergeant Major Henry Motly recalled.
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CSM Motly was stationed at the armory for 17 years and was even born right across the street.
But it's not just his memories of serving at the armory that make him sad to see it close. CSM Motly says his memories of what this building has meant to the town over the years also makes him sad.
"This was like a community center for Chatham for a long time. People got married here, a lot of celebrations were done here, a lot of family reunions were held in this armory," CSM Motly pointed out.
The Virginia National Guard is closing the building in an effort to save money, consolidating forces with the armory in Danville.
The armory was established as a protection against the Cold War, but as times have changed the Guard can no longer afford to keep all of the readiness centers open.
"By regionalizing, we can spend our money more efficiently on facilities - leaving more money to prepare the soldiers for the fight," Lt. Col. Charlton Dunn, Virginia National Guard Construction and Facilities Management Officer, explained.
The county is still in the process of trying to purchase the building from the National Guard.
"We understand there's a process that has to be gone through on this matter. We're patient. That way, the best decision can be made to benefit the community as a whole," County Administrator Clarence Monday said after the ceremony.
Monday added that there is no timeline yet for when that purchase may become official or what the building will be used for if and when the purchase does go through.