Welcome RECREATIONAL GUIDE TO FT. JACKSON & COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA “The Most Military Friendly Community in America” DINING l ENTERTAINMENT l AREA MAPS l RECREATION l LODGING Join us for a restful nights stay... Two Great Options near Ft. Jackson and The Village at Sandhill • 145 ULTRA MODERN ROO M S • 6.4 M ILES TO FORT JACKSON • FREE DEL U XE HOT BREAK F AST • ALL S M OKE -F REE ROO M S • FREE H IG H SPEED WIRED & WIRELESS INTERNET • MICROWAVE & FRIDGE IN EVERY ROO M • 32” LCD TVS WIT H 42 HD CH ANNELS • ON-SITE LA U NDRY • CO M PLI M ENTARY bu SINESS CENTER • CO M PLI M ENTARY F ITNESS CENTER 1.803.788.4901 1.803.419.3558 1011 & 1021 Clemaon Frontage Road Columbia, SC 292229 EDITOR CONTENTS Susan McPherson Katherine Yon Welcome to Columbia Welcome To Richland County, the City of Columbia PUBLICATION DESIGN ETUTS & Forest Acres About the Columbia Chamber ART DIRECTOR Kendall Davis Military Organizations History of Fort Jackson & Relationship to Columbia CONTRIBUTORS Fort Jackson National Cemetary Susan McPherson Family Morale Welfare & Recreation, Area Information Fort Jackson Local Accommodations Columbia Communities & Areas to Visit Culture, Entertainment, Shopping & Recreation Festivals & Events Performing Arts & Concerts Local & Outdoor Attractions Local Sports Arenas International Corridor Shopping Districts Columbia Area Maps Columbia Metropolitan Area City Center Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Welcome to Fort Jackson PO Box 1360 Victory Starts Here Columbia, SC 29202 Fort Jackson Map www.columbiachamber.com 803.733.1110 General Post Information Family & Morale, Welfare & Recreation (FMWR) Welcome is published biannually by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Child, Youth & School Services and is in no way connected with the U.S. Army. This publication is targeted towards Food & Entertainment Fort Jackson soldiers and family members Recreation, Fitness & Shopping visiting or relocating to the Greater Columbia, South Carolina area. Advertising Services, Programs & More in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government, the Fort Jackson Directories DOD, or the U.S. Army. FMWR Activity Program Directory Friends of Our Forces Member Directory MenTion oF any advertiSeR in ThiS publiCaTion iS noT an endorseMenT by The uS GoveRnMenT, Fort JaCkSon oR MWR. WELCOME | Recreational Guide To Fort Jackson & Columbia • South Carolina 1 Welcome to Famously Hot Columbia, SC! Dear Visitors, Welcome to Columbia and our “most military friendly community”. It is our pleasure to host you and your family as you travel to Fort Jackson and participate in the Basic Training Graduation Ceremonies or any of the numerous military related activities. As you visit our community, hopefully, you will experience an appreciation and respect for the and realize that visitors to the Fort will hopefully return one day and call Columbia home. military like no other community you will visit. We have a fine relationship with Fort Jackson Also know that while your loved ones are in our community, from the time they are greeted at discounts to our soldiers and greatly appreciate the patronage of our men and women in uniform.the airport by the USO until they leave for their next assignment, our businesses are offering Annually, over 250,000 visitors come to Columbia and take part in military related programs which contributes over $45 million to our local economy. We recognize the value of Fort Jackson for its mission of “Tradition * Training * Transformation” and we appreciate the $2 billion dollar impact the military has on our State’s economy. While you are in our City, if we can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce at 803.733.1155 and we will be glad to help. Again, thank you for your visit and thank you for the service your military family member provides so that we can all enjoy our freedoms. It is an honor to welcome you to the “most military friendly community in America”. Sincerely, Holt Chetwood Carl Blackstone Chair, GCCC Board of Directors President & CEO Midlands Market President, Wells Fargo Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce 2 WELCOME | Recreational Guide To Fort Jackson & Columbia • South Carolina Welcome to Famously Hot Columbia, SC! Greetings and Welcome, It is our pleasure to welcome you to South Carolina, the Columbia Region and “the most military your family to help create a memorable visit. We have a rich heritage and are always appreciative offriendly the opportunity community to in showcase America”. our As community.South Carolina’s capital city, we have so much to offer you and As you visit our community for military business or the graduation of a loved one from basic activities that will appeal to all ages. The restaurants and shopping are always a key interest for ourtraining, visitors. we hope We also you willhave enjoy many the family many activities fine local such attractions. as the world We are renowned fortunate Riverbanksto have numerous Zoo & Gardens, the Congaree National Park, canoeing on the river and beautiful Lake Murray. If your agenda calls for educational and historical appeal, you are invited to visit the South Carolina State Museum, EdVenture Children’s Museum, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Statehouse, or you can take a tour of Columbia’s historic homes. The Colonial Life Arena, Township Auditorium events including concerts and athletic games. and the University of South Carolina’s Williams Brice Stadium offer a full line-up of entertainment We are proud of our association with Fort Jackson and welcome all of our military visitors to our community. As the Army’s largest initial training facility, Fort Jackson is home to over 3500 permanent party soldiers and 3500 permanent civilian employees. Annually, we open our hearts and city to more than 80,000 soldiers who are undergoing training at Fort Jackson in Basic Training, the Soldier Support Institute, the Drill Sergeant School, the Chaplain School and the DOD Academy for Polygraph School. Thank you for your support of our military community and know that the service of your loved one is appreciated and respected. We work faithfully to ensure that we are “the most military friendly community in America.” Best wishes for a safe and pleasant visit, please enjoy your stay and come often. Sincerely, Steve Benjamin, Columbia Mayor Frank Brunson, Forest Acres Mayor Norman Jackson, Chairman, Richland County Council 3 WELCOME | Recreational Guide To Fort Jackson & Columbia • South Carolina “Friend, Leader, Community and Military Advocate” A Legacy of Timeless Contributions to Greater Columbia Donald G. “Ike” McLeese August 15, 1944 – October 29, 2013 Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO 1994 – 2013 Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the United States Army 2007-2013 About the Columbia Chamber enterprises, The Greater civicColumbia organizations, Chamber ofeducational Commerce institutions is a non-profit and membership-driven organization comprised of 1,500 business Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its membersindividuals and in theCalhoun, business Fairfield, community Kershaw, at large Lexington, on matters Newberry of economic, and educational, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its members through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902. To become a member or to learn more about the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, www.ColumbiaChamber.com. www.columbiachamber.com/military.htm Get Connected facebook.com/ColumbiaChamber @ColaSCChamber colascchamber.wordpress.com flickr.com/photos/columbiachamberyoutube.com/TheColumbiaChamber columbiachamber.com/military.htm WELCOME | Recreational Guide To Fort Jackson & Columbia • South Carolina 5 Military Organizations BLOWFISH 301 S Assembly St . is is to support the troops 803-254-3474 by• The providing mission of morale,the USO blowfishbaseball.com type services to our men The Columbia andwelfare women and in recreation- uniform. member of the Coastal a bridge to home for PlainBlowfish League is a famous proud our• The service USO menprovides and for using wooden women, providing them bats to prepare their and their families with athletes for the next communications access, level in their careers. entertainment, goods and The season begins in late May and runs AUSA (ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY) services, and simple day- These collegiate players are to-day comforts. scoutedthrough and mid-August. move on to become 803-790-2872 stars in the minor and major www.ausa.org relies• The USOon the is a generosity private, non-profit, of the league levels of baseball. Americannon-partisan people. organization that PURPLE HEART CITY is made up of volunteers whose goal isAUSA to give is a opportunities non-profit organization for all soldiers that In 2012, The City of Columbia and their families. AUSA represents the Columbia Metropolitan Airport • The USO South Carolina opened at every American soldier by being the in June 2010. in South Carolina. The mission of voice for all components of America’s thebecame military the first order Purple of the Heart Purple City Army, fostering public support for the Heart is to cultivate a community members visit the center monthly. Army’s role in national security while among veterans while upholding • More than 7000 troops and family also providing each soldier programs patriotism and ensuring that we to advance education. Please consider will never forget what they have participating in AUSA’s local South volunteers• The USO takingSouth careCarolina of troops has twoand done for our freedom. theirpaid stafffamilies members 7 days anda week, over 365 100 www.ausa.org/membership and for days a year. VETERANS DAY PARADE yourCarolina region, Chapter- include to Southjoin online Carolina. go to Columbia’s Veterans Day has a second location at the Camp one of the largest Veterans USO UNITED SERVICE McCrady• The USO Training South Center Carolina where haswe Day parades in the United provide programs and services for a States.