Smyrna City Councilwoman Teri Anulewicz said she’s heard from about a dozen people since Dobbins Air Reserve Base started playing twice daily “bugle calls” on its “Giant Voice” alert system Feb. 1.
Special to the MDJ
Special to the MDJ
“Reactions ranged from bemused to irate,” she said. “But honestly? Smyrna has planes, trains and, now, trumpets.”
Well, not exactly.
The Giant Voice system actually plays recorded versions of “Reveille” at 8 a.m. and the national anthem at 4 p.m. for the daily “retreat.”
Dobbins spokesman Capt. Patrick Simmons said the system was put in place to alert staff at Dobbins and across the base at the Clay National Guard Center to potential emergencies. The daily calls allow both for the system to be tested and as a way to observe military tradition.
Though it is “somewhat independent,” Simmons said the Clay system plays the same calls seven days a week, compared to just Monday through Friday at Dobbins. But in response to the concerns being expressed, he said Clay is cutting back to five days a week, while calls have been made to vendors to come in and lower the volume slightly.
Simmons said there have been more complaints on the Clay side, around the southern end of the base, because it is in a more residential area.
“It takes a little bit of time to make adjustments,” Simmons said.
At the same time, Simmons said the Giant Voice will need to remain loud enough to be heard around the base.
The system cost $250,000 to install as part of a U.S. Department of Defense mandate that military bases comply with its digital notification system. Simmons said it replaces an antiquated 20-year-old analog alarm system.
“Some of the speakers did not work,” he said. “It did not provide for the emergency notification we require.”
Anulewicz admits to being taken by surprise when she first heard the morning call at her home, located near the Smyrna Market Village. She initially thought it came from the nearby Fire Station No. 1.
While some people have complained about the calls waking them up in the morning, others have embraced the patriotic music, Anulewicz said.
“I’ve heard some people say that it makes them feel safer because it reminds them that they live close to a military base,” she said.
Simmons said the tradition of bugle calls at military bases goes back to pre-Civil War days.
“It’s part of our identity,” he said. “We do value the local community, and we have taken the needs of the local community into consideration as we set times.”
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Captain Simmons said the base command set the schedule to accommodate the slug-a-beds of the world. Maybe you could make the most of it and enjoy the free wake-up call. You could probably use the morning exercise opportunity.
We should have a rally to support the new system and show that we don't all roll over just because one or two whiners get loud. Honestly, I'm on the veritable edge of the base and barely notice it when I'm inside. Traffic on the street makes more noise than that bugle!
I am constantly amazed at attitudes of selfish and unpatriotic Americans who feel the whole universe revolves around them and their liberal-minded, group hug ways. Get a life...not everything will please you and not every one will bow down to you princess!
Taking a few moments out of each day is a wonderful reason for ANYONE to pause and be thankful for our great nation. I recently spent a few days with her on a naval base and I can tell you that at 8 am everything pauses - people stop walking, squads of men and women in the middle of their workouts stop, cars stop driving on the road, everything halts. I happily went to the door of my hotel room, and with my hand placed over my grateful heart, I stood proudly as our National Anthem was played every day.
I can understand that folks affected by this new routine may be annoyed, but I hope they embrace this American tradition and use those moments of each day to be grateful for all that we have in this country and for all those who serve. In spite of all of our issues and challenges, we are still the greatest nation this world has even seen and we should be proud of that every day.
Ms. Anulewicz, if your not awake by 8 AM you should check your pace maker, perhaps the battery's dead. You should consider returning to the North where things are more to your liking.
Heavy handed , disengaged, dishonest government, running a private country club w/ our tax money.
Market Village??? Please!!
Put all the light poles & redundant banners along a vacant strip of road,.. it's still a vacant strip of road!
Why wasn't even ONE tree planted in those medians as PROMISED??
Even you Teri talked about how you were looking forward to the trees!
A few pidily jonquils??
That's it??
The main problem is giving one man, one family unchecked power. Of course 26 years in power will encourage corruption.
Wake up Smyrna.
20 million for Concord Road-- utter WASTE!!
Not ONE single thing has been done to protect the devaluation of the Smyrna Heights neighborhood. The homeowners deserve leadership that actually cares about the CITIZENS,.. not just their small scratch my back 'clique'!!
Hmm, zero? Zero, right? I don't recall any attacks since the Unforutnate Incident.
So what was the real need to spend $250,000 here, and what's the real need to play nationalistic music to an audidence in Smyrna?
Let me guess. General Bubba Lee's brother in law sells loudspeakers, and General Bubba Lee doesn't like the Mexicans.
Oh what a wonderful place we've built for ourselves right here in Cobb County Georgia.
Maybe NatGeo will do an anniversary report on the Redneck Smyrna story that MK apparently did not read.