By Caitlyn Cummings

The Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ozark Economic Development Corporation hosted a beautiful welcome reception for Major General Clair A. Gill at the Holman House on August 12. The event was well attended by civic leaders, school officials, and business leaders. Food and a cash bar were provided by El Palacio. 

The evening underscored Ozark’s strong ties to Fort Novosel as Major General Gill and his command group were welcomed with open arms by Chamber of Commerce Director Rosemarie Williamson and ODCEDC President Holle Smith, as well as many from the Ozark community. 

Major General Gill graciously thanked them for their hospitality and encouraged those in attendance to think about keeping our economic ties strong by encouraging and recruiting young people to join the armed forces, the Army, in particular. He encouraged unity between Ozark and Fort Novosel as both communities share a symbiotic economic relationship with each other.

Holle Smith spoke briefly welcoming Major General Gill and reminded the audience that Fort Novosel is the largest employer in our area and has a $9 billion dollar economic impact, therefore the importance of supporting the base is great. 

Major General Clair A. Gill assumed command of the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel on July 24. His wife Fran is an emergency room physician and they have one son, Joshua, who is a senior in high school.