FORT RITCHIE - The military base that has served the U.S. Army and the National Guard over the years will have one last bash on Friday.
Fort Ritchie will stage an hour-long closing ceremony at 5 p.m. followed by a "Twilight Tattoo," according to Army spokesman Steve Blizard.
The base will not officially close until Sept. 30, when the post will be handed over to civilian authorities.
The featured speaker for the closing ceremony will be retired Lt. Gen. Vernon Walters, a former U.N. ambassador who received military intelligence training at Fort Ritchie during World War II.
During the Twilight Tattoo, 300 troops from the 3rd U.S. Infantry and 60 musicians from the U.S. Army Band will demonstrate drills, Blizard said.
