To all of the family members who are considering attending a graduation ceremony at Ft. Benning, GA: GO!!!!! Your soldier will appreciate it more than you will ever know. If you live far away and think you cannot afford it, dig deep into your wallet. Give up eating out while your friend/relative is in basic training and pocket the money you save. Get a temporary second job! Sell your stuff on ebay. Squeeze into your economy car. If you are unsure of where to stay while you are in the area for family day and graduation day, stay at the MICROTEL NORTH in Columbus. We were greeted warmly by the reception staff and our stay could not have been better. The place is very clean, you get free internet and long distance, and you can exercise in the tidy fitness room. It is just off Hwy 185 at Exit 12. Ft. Benning is a short 15 minute drive straight south on 185. (Tip: If you place your Family Day Invitation visible on dash/ through windshield of your car, and have your photo IDS ready, you will get through the Ft. Benning gate quicker.) The Microtel is in a very safe area, north of the city. We were given hand written directions by the desk clerk to the Columbus Park Crossing shopping/restaurant area off Veterans Parkway. Over the two-day period of Family Day and after graduation, we went to this area and shopped at Staples, Barnes & Noble, got a haircut at Great Clips, and ate at Red Lobster, Chili's and Jason's Deli. There is also a Mellow Mushroom Pizza place on Veterans that is awesome. A new Wal-Mart is just across the street from Chili's; some of the soldiers we knew were buying additional luggage to take to their AITs. In all, our soldier had ten family members cheering him on, and the Microtel was our home away from home. The beds are amazingly comfortable, and we requested the top floor because we are light sleepers. We had no noise from the road or other rooms. (Pets are only allowed on the first floor...) Be forwarned: If you are into healthy breakfasts, you might grab your own bagels, granola or fresh fruit before arriving. Theirs is more along the line of packaged pastries and juice boxes....however, my Twinkie-loving husband thought he had died and gone to Heaven. And I grabbed a fruit cup for later in the day. Good coffee....tasty little muffins...fridge and microwave in the room. Make your reservation NOW. Enroll in the Microtel rewards club and you will get a free night for every 9 stays. Support your soldier! Reserve your room today!!
