General Over Task Force Tuscaloosa After 2011 Tornado to Lead Veterans Day Ceremony

A retired Army major general who commanded the National Guard task force sent to Tuscaloosa after the April 27, 2011 tornadoes will give the keynote at this year’s Veterans Day ceremony.

The Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority and the Veterans Memorial Park Association will host the program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 11 at Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park, 1701 McFarland Boulevard East. It is free and open to the public.

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Katrina, the Tornado and Task Force 51

According to a press release from the Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority, Maj. Gen. Charles H. Gailes Jr., a Tuscaloosa native, served more than 30 years in the military and another 30 in law enforcement.

He held senior leadership posts across the Army and the National Guard, commanding Task Force Guardian during Hurricane Katrina and Task Force Tuscaloosa after the 2011 tornadoes. His last assignment was commander of Task Force 51 with U.S. Army North, where he also led a Defense Department response force for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.

Gailes spent nine years as chief of police at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College and the FBI National Academy and was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.

Honoring the Legacy

“Veterans Day gives our community an opportunity to come together and recognize the men and women whose service and sacrifice have helped protect our freedoms,” said Brian Butler, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park Association. “We are proud to honor their contributions and ensure that the legacy of our veterans continues to be remembered by future generations.”

PARA CEO Brian Davis said the park itself is part of the point.

“Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park is a meaningful place for our community to reflect on the courage, dedication and sacrifice of those who have served our nation,” Davis said. “PARA is honored to support this annual tradition and work alongside the Veterans Memorial Park Association to provide a place where veterans, military families and the entire community can gather to pay tribute.”

Veterans, military families, elected officials and community leaders are expected to attend. The park is a PARA facility administered with support from the association.

If the weather turns, the ceremony moves indoors to the Belk men’s atrium entrance at University Mall. Updates will be posted at tcpara.org.

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