The Tennessee Military Department hosted a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the new National Guard Readiness Center, named the Major General Terry “Max” Haston National Guard Armory on Manchester Highway in Morrison on Saturday.
The facility is dedicated to Maj. Gen. Terry “Max” Haston, a McMinnville native who served in the military for more than 40 years and retired in 2019 as Tennessee’s 75th adjutant general, a position he held since 2010.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Haston,” said Maj. Gen. Warner Ross III, Tennessee’s adjutant general. “He was a great leader and adjutant general, and throughout his career he did everything possible to care for soldiers and airmen.”
“This new armory will greatly improve our readiness and our ability to respond to disasters and emergencies within the community,” said Ross.
Describing the countless political, military and business considerations made throughout the years in the creation of the armory, he reminded the audience of its true purpose: The protection and safety of people in the case of disasters, whether military or natural.
“You don’t trade business cards at a disaster,” he said. “You’ve got to know how people work together before the disaster hits. Keep your powder dry and your hatchets scoured because there will be dragons.”
Before Haston took the stage, many speakers praised him and the new armory.
Warren County Executive Terry Bell reminded the audience that he has seen the armory coming along for many years, from his early days as a commissioner to now. “It has taken several years to build and there are so many responsible, who have helped and have been important along the way. It’s been an honor to watch it all come together and to see it now is very special.”
Morrison Mayor Sue Anderson felt honored that the new armory was so close to Morrison and spoke with appreciation of how good this was for their community. She thanked all the soldiers especially for coming out and for their service.
When Haston took the stage, he spoke eloquently and warmly about his many memories of Warren County and all the hard work and dedication it took to get the armory completed.
“I wish Dad was here now,” he began, “he sure loved the guard,” his voice cracking with emotion, wiping away a tear.
Not missing a beat, he chuckled, “Okay now, that’s out of the way,” and the rapt audience laughed with relief.
Haston admitted that it’s rare to name a building after someone still alive, “But I assure you I’m alive and still taking nourishment. So much for the fake news.”
He described how, as a young man when he drilled in Sparta, Friday night at Rebel Hill at the high school was followed by a dance at the old armory in McMinnville. They would have a local rock band and dance the night away.
“Look, I’ve been all over the world, twice, and talked to everyone once, nothing will beat those memories. Having this armory means the world to me and my military family.”
The armory, which will be the home for Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, is a 33,000-square-foot facility. Full of modern administrative, training, supply and storage rooms with energy-efficient equipment, it contains other green features to reduce operating costs. It also boasts a 5,600-square-foot vehicle maintenance building.
The facility replaces McMinnville’s 11,200-square-foot armory, which was built in 1957, and is the oldest and smallest armory in the Tennessee National Guard. The Tennessee State Building Commission approved this project, funded entirely by the federal government, in July 2018. Design House 1411, LLC, located in Nashville, began the design in early 2019. Sain Construction of Manchester completed the project in January 2024.
