Presidio opens new housing, affirms commitment to Army Family Covenant

By Hiro (Phillip) Chang (Presidio of Monterey)February 19, 2010

Ribbon Cutting
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (from left to right) Andrew, Heather, Annalise, and Zachary Webber, Col. Darcy A. Brewer (garrison commander), Staff Sgt. Gerard Webber, Michelle Calloway (community director for the Parks of Monterey Bay), Command Sgt. Maj. Olga Martinez and Isaac W... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Happy Birthday!
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Isaac Webber blows out the candle celebrating his sixth birthday after an impromptu party was prepared by leading representatives of the Presidio of Monterey and Ord Military Community as part of welcoming the Webber family to the Monterey Bay milita... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sign that Lease!
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Stocked with Food
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- "It's like we're on Extreme Home Makeover," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Gerard Webber, 311st Training Readiness Squadron, referencing the ABC reality TV show after being greeted by throngs of representatives of the Presidio of Monterey and Ord Military Community Feb. 18.

Armed with cameras, gifts and welcoming smiles, the heads of the Presidio of Monterey Garrison, OMC Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and the Clark Pinnacle Residential Communities Initiative commemorated the first family to lease a house in the new Doe Park Community.

"Welcoming the (Webber family) was in keeping with the Army Family Covenant," said Col. Darcy A. Brewer. "We are committed to providing a strong, supportive environment where families thrive."

Heather Webber, wife and mother of four, was happy to have the roomy home, especially after being cramped previously in a hotel room with rambunctious children.

"I just thought, 'that's big'," said Heather "My mom will live with us and we needed something spacious." "I like how the home looks like there was some thought put into it," Heather concluded.

The Webber's oldest, Andrew, was also excited to begin moving into his new home and all the benefits that will bring. "I thought it was awesome, "said Andrew. "I really like the backyard a lot and having my own room upstairs; it's pretty cool."

After the family participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the community heads also gave the family gift certificates presented by AAFES and the OMC Commissary, stocked refrigerator and cupboard, and an impromptu birthday party for son Isaac.

The Presidio of Monterey Garrison and RCI decided to change what was once a blight on OMC to Doe Park Community, a neighborhood that will allow military families to thrive.

"It was definitely an eyesore," said Brewer. "Now it's a neighborhood which is located near services such as Army Community Services, the Post Exchange and Commissary. We are looking forward to getting more families in there."

The sentiment was shared by 10-year-old Andrew after another look around his family's new home. "We were lucky to be the first people to get a house here," Andrew said.

"There's too much to say about what we like about it," Gerard concluded.

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