CLARKSVILLE, TN. (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Fort Campbell Historical Foundation celebrated the 30th anniversary of Desert Storm Wednesday at the F&M Bank Franklin Room in downtown Clarksville.  The gathering of close to 80 people brought out both former and current military leaders who have served or are now serving at Fort Campbell.

Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell Maj. Gen. J.P. McGee was in attendance along with Col. Stephen Shrader, 101st chief of staff.

L-R, Charlie Koon, Retired General Gary Luck and CEO/President of F&M Bank Sammy Stuard at 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, Major General J.P. McGee and Cate McGee at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021. (Lee Erwin).
Retired General Gary Luck and Leah Luck at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Charlie Koon and Retired General Binford Peay at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 (Lee Erwin).
Jean Nichols and Retired Command Sergeant Major Robert Nichols at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Retired Command Sergeant Major Robert Nichols, is presented with an Army Sabre by Retired General Bnford Peay and Retired General Gary Luck at the 30-year reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Retired General Binford Peay and Retired General Gary Luck at the 30-year anniversary reception of Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Retired General Michael Oates speaking at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Jason Huber and Retired General Keith Huber at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Melissa Schaffner and Charlie Koon. at 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin)
30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Retired Command Sergeant Major Robert Nichols and Jean Nichols at the 30-year anniversary reception of Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
L-R, Van Stokes, Lynn Stokes, Jane Wallace and Barbara Oates at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Ben Kimbrough and Martha Hopson at the 30-year anniversary reception for Desert Storm on Wed June 23 2021 (Lee Erwin).

Many veteran Screaming Eagles attended, including retired Gen. Brian Winski, retired Gen. Robert Clark, retired Gen. Binford Peay, and retired Gen. Gary Luck.

Along with the reunion of many Desert Storm veterans, the evening was also a ceremony for retired Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Nichols, who was retiring as executive director of the Historical Foundation where he has served for more than 20 years.

Retired Gen. Michael Oates, CEO and president of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, praised Nichols for his hard work and service to the Army and the organization.

“There’s probably no finer guy that I know who represents Fort Campbell better than Rob Nichols. For the foundation, he’s been the beating heart, the strong arm, and the soul of this organization for 22 years,” Oates said.

Nichols was presented with a U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officer Dress Sabre engraved with his name.

“Thank you for trusting me to help you preserve the legacy of these soldiers at Fort Campbell,” Nichols said.

Oates read a letter from former President George W. Bush praising the heroic soldiers at Fort Campbell, saying they are dedicated to something greater than themselves. Peay was commander of the 101st during Desert Storm and shared details about the Gulf War and the soldiers that served.

“We had a great run, this group had a great run. We had a great team, I am just so proud to had the opportunity to soldier, shoulder to shoulder with them,” Peay said.  Many Desert Storm veterans, including Peay, were part of the Division Review that was held on Thursday as part of Fort Campbell’s Week of the Eagles.

For more, go to the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation website.