Fort Belvoir’s home county, Fairfax, honors the Army from Sunday through June 18, by proclaiming the time as Army Strong Week throughout the county.
County supervisors Tuesday unanimously adopted the proclamation, in advance of the Army’s 236th birthday, which is Tuesday.
In part, the proclamation reads: Since the U.S. Army was established June 14, 1775, Soldiers have been the strength of our nation, driven by the ideals of the Warrior Ethos and committed to success in any mission.
“We’ve always had, in Fairfax County, a real partnership with Fort Belvoir and it has been positive,” said county board of supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova, who worked at Davison Army Airfield in the late 1960s.
“Now, we’re working on some things that are hard together and that is BRAC. But, I have every confidence that, working together, we will do the best job for our constituents and for employees who will be coming to work on Fort Belvoir.”
Col. John Strycula, Belvoir garrison commander; Command Sgt. Major Gabriel Berhane; and Col. Jerry Blixt, former Belvoir garrison commander, accepted the proclamation during the supervisors’ meeting.
“It’s our friends and neighbors outside the gates of Fort Belvoir that make the Families, the Veterans and the Soldiers feel welcome and support them every day,” Strycula said. “It’s those neighbors and the leaders of Fairfax County and the citizens of Fairfax County that provide that support. And, we’re grateful for that support and for the Army Community Covenant.”
Supervisor Penny Gross, who represents the county’s Mason District, recounted her Family’s history with Belvoir. Her father was stationed at Fort Belvoir three times; her parents were married on post; and she attended sixth grade on the installation in an integrated classroom, during a time when other schools in Virginia had not yet been integrated.
Supervisor Gerry Hyland, who represents the Mount Vernon District, thanked Strycula, Blixt, and Berhane for reaching out and working with the county “to make (base realignment and closure) work, which has been a challenge for all of us.” Hyland particularly lauded the work at trying to make transportation improvements off post accommodate the folks who will come to Fort Belvoir, but also to try to accommodate our citizens who use the same roadways. “We have truly been locked arm-in-arm trying to get the right thing done to be able to make BRAC work,” he said.
Supervisor Jeff McKay, who represents the Lee District, singled out the post’s Soldiers for praise in his remarks.
“The men and women who serve our nation who operate out of Fort Belvoir make us all proud in Fairfax County, and we’ve made it our business to reach out to the post and invite them into our community, just as they’ve invited us into their’s,” McKay said.
“We have challenges as we go forward with BRAC, but let us not forget those who make daily sacrifices for us,” he said.
Supervisor Pat Herrity, who represents the Springfield District, lauded the post’s community involvement.
“Your Soldiers and your employees are members of our community and it is a partnership,” he said. “I thank you for upholding your end of that partnership and we will continue to strive to uphold our end.”
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