Camp Jack hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 13, with the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce, veterans, dignitaries from the city and state, and U.S. Congressman Steve Womack from Washington, D.C.
The Founder and Executive Director of Camp Jack, Matt Russell, said, “Every day is Veterans’ Day at Camp Jack.” He introduced the color guard, representing veterans from the Korean War to the present day.
Russell shared the history of the dreams of creating a place for veterans to receive care, services, and fellowship with other veterans. “The guys at the coffee shop agreed that something needed to be done,” He said.
“We had no money, no home, and no prospects,” He admitted. “But that’s never slowed down a veteran. We’ve had amazing support from the community and leaders, and we’ve come a long way. All the credit belongs to this community.”
When the “coffee group” came to see Mayor Jerry Jackson, he was committed to finding a location for the veterans.
About the same time, the school district sold the tract of land from the Armory to the Dog Park to the city. Jackson offered the Armory to the veterans, and they were thrilled.
During the past four years, after leasing the facility from the city, volunteers have logged 80,000 hours.
Russell shared some history of the building: “In 1804, the Arkansas National Guard began. In 1942, they moved into their new home, known as the Armory. The 142nd Field Artillery group was sent to Europe, and the space became a textile factory and workplace for 100 ladies making blankets for the war effort. Since the early 1950s, it had been home to high school and junior high school students of the Harrison Public Schools.”
Since Camp Jack opened at the Armory, Russell said that more than 60,000 meals have been provided, many wheelchair ramps have been built, and 100 electric wheelchairs have been restored. Camp Jack has helped dozens of homeless veterans and their families find affordable housing. The Camp Jack facility is also home to many public and community events.
Mayor Jerry Jackson said, “The Camp Jack project has been like the movie, ‘The Money Pit’ and since the city owned the property, Matt called often.” The crowd laughed and understood.
Jackson was very pleased when US Congressman Steve Womack toured the facility and asked Matt, “Don’t you think our veterans deserve better?”
Womack said as he toured the building that he had an internal calculator in his head. “This is a great concept and is definitely one of a kind, but I told Matt that, $400,000 would not be enough.”
Womack secured a $2.28 million grant with the city's assistance.
“This will be a place where veterans can come and young people can hear their stories of bravery and valor. This will help bond the ‘Greatest Generation’ to the next generations.”
Womack referenced a portion of the Soldier’s Creed that states, “Always place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit, and most important, never leave a fallen comrade. Harrison, you have placed the mission first and never quit. Even when it looked like you couldn’t get it done, you didn’t quit. This building will save lives. This will give veterans something to do, somewhere to go, and a sense of purpose. They know their community cares about them.”
The Jack Williams Veterans Resource Center, “Camp Jack,” is located at 411 South Pine Street in Harrison. The phone number is 870-517-5044. Visit www.campjack.org for more information. “We’ve got your six,” is their motto.