The stars and stripes flapped in a cold breeze under a gray sky Monday evening as military, government and city officials spoke about the history and significance of the Marine Armory on Shorter Avenue before the American flag was lowered by Marines for the last time.

“There is certainly a lot of history that goes along with this building and the Marines who have served here,” said Capt. Gary Haralson about the armory, which has hosted Marines in Rome since it was built in 1947.

Haralson, inspector and instructor at the location, addressed a crowd of veterans, local and state officials, as well as current Marines and members of the general public. He told them Marines who have served at the armory had earned Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and even a Medal of Honor, but they also gave a lot back to the community and to the Marine Corps.

“We will continue to build upon that legacy,” Haralson said, also noting what the community has given the Marines. “I’ve never seen a more caring or contributing community than what you have here.”

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey thanked the Marines past and present for their service to the country and Northwest Georgia. He listed the wars Rome-based Marines fought in, but he also read a much longer list of community-minded efforts they took part in around the area, including Toys for Tots.

Click here to visit the Marines' Toys for Tots Facebook page.

“They were our neighbors, our co-workers, our youth league coaches, but most importantly, they were our friends,” said Gingrey.

The congressman presented Haralson with a plaque in recognition of all the Marines who have served at the armory. He said they will be missed in Rome.

Brig. Gen. Tracy Garrett told those in attendance that they were sad to leave the area.

“As Marines, we are sad to leave this community that has nourished us for so long. But we hope it’s not ‘goodbye,’ but ‘so long,’” she said.

The closing is part of the Base Realignment and Closing program approved by Congress in 2005. The armory’s 10 active and 113 reservist Marines will be stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta.

Mayor Wright Bagby said he has known this day was coming for years but was still sad to see it arrive. He pointed out that Rome Police Chief Hubert Smith was one of the first boys to attend the Boys Club when the Marines hosted it at the armory.

“If it hadn’t been for the Boys Club, Hubert Smith would have never been a police chief,” Bagby joked.

The city will now take control of the property and convert it into a recreation center using $1.6 million from the 2006 special purpose, local option sales tax. Work on the project is expected to start in January.