Fort Lee honored as Army Community of Excellence

By Kimberly K. FritzMay 2, 2012

Community of excellence
Col. Rodney D. Edge, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lee commander, Melissa Magowan, USAG, Fort Lee, deputy to the commander and Master Sgt. Jay Morse attend the Army Chief of Staff's 2012 Army Communities of Excellence Awards ceremony Tuesday at the Pentag... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (May 2, 2012) -- Each year, installations from around the world compete in the Army Chief of Staff's Army Communities of Excellence Program that recognizes superior performance in installation management. This year, Fort Lee earned an honorable mention in the competition that encourages and rewards installations that optimize their environment and demonstrate a commitment to facilities and exceptional customer service.

Members of the garrison command group and the Plans, Analysis and Integration Directorate traveled to the Pentagon Tuesday for a ceremony honoring winners in several categories.

"This program is indeed a wonderful opportunity to recognize the great work that is being done in our Army garrisons," said Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations, Energy and Environment. "It is an honor to recognize the individuals who have helped make the Army (community) a better place to live, work and grow."

Hammack said she is amazed at how the Army has progressed in the last few years.

Fort Lee has seen a great deal of growth, doubling in size and student output and still improving services and continually focusing on military Families.

This is the first time Fort Lee has earned an award in the program. Garrison Commander Col. Rodney D. Edge said it was an honor to win and that he looks forward to future wins where the installation benefits monetarily. The higher the award level, the larger the reward for the installation, thus creating more programs and facilities for Families.

Fort Lee's award speaks volumes about the installations ability to support mission readiness by providing Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines and Families with state-of-the-art facilities, world-class services and the best working and living conditions and overall quality of life that they so richly deserve, said Mike White, PAIO analyst. "We are always striving to do better and improve our community."