Alec Scott's family came to Fort Belvoir when he was in the fourth grade, and Belvoir's community of faith had a lasting effect on him. Scott conducted a final Mass at Belvoir Chapel, Sunday, before reporting to the Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, S.C.
"We moved to Belvoir in 1996 when I was 10 years old," said Scott. "I attended school at Barden Elementary (which is now Barden Education Center) and was in its first graduating class."
So much has changed on post since then: the elementary school was moved to North Post, what used to be the old South Nine Golf Course where he would play as a child is now the imposing structure of the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and a lot of new housing has been developed on post. What hasn't changed is his childhood home in Belvoir Village, and the strength of community and faith.
"I'll drive back to my old house in Belvoir Village -- that stretch of the village by the woods has not changed, and I find that comforting," said Scott. "I have a lot of gratitude for Fort Belvoir -- you move around the military your whole life, but no place ever feels so home to me than Belvoir."
The power of community
As soon as they arrived, Scott said his family was warmly embraced by the Catholic community. "Faith has always been a big part of my life, even before I was aware of God's presence. The environment I was in let me explore those questions, and I was blessed with wonderful priests, including Father John Mudd," he said.
"They showed me how large an impact a person can have on your life. They were joyful, happy, normal in all the right ways, and I was attracted in what they were doing. From that grew a seed of interest, but it wasn't until college that I got serious."
One fixture of Scott's life, going back to grade school, was Sister Michael Bochnowski, who had just arrived here as Director of Religious education -- a post she still holds.
"I've known Sister Michael since I was 10. She was a big part of my life. She is my longest-standing faith relationship, and she's been a rock in Fort Belvoir and where I got all my Catholic upbringing and religious education. In spite of myself, she's been my biggest cheerleader, and I can't express how much she's meant to me. Sister Michael is an institution," he said.
She also has high regard for Scott, saying his passion and persistence was evident from the beginning. "One of the things I feel happy about is seeing people growing up, and becoming generals and sergeants major, and for them to do the good that they do with the people," Bochnowski said. "He's a great example of the good we can do here."
Sense of responsibility
Scott said his journey of faith was strengthened by his upbringing as a military child.
"My familiarity with the military was definitely a big part of it. There is a sense of the culture -- the people I met and the embraces from the community, but there's a parallel sense, a feeling of responsibility what the military has given to me. It was invaluable toward becoming a priest.
Growing up in a military environment, it would make me feel ungrateful if I didn't return something and offer back to the communities that made me what I am," said Scott.
And, this week marks his next transition, from priest to Army chaplain; something he looks forward to.
"The types of ministry will be different -- doing more work with non-Catholic communities, and that'll be new to me. I'll have a broader range of responsibilities to be not only a faith leader but also counselor, and I'll wear a lot of different hats," he said. "There are many different jobs, but all are under the job of parish priest. The excitement, and challenge, ahead is that I bring my faith and my priesthood to all that I do. I want to be living my faith, but I want to do everything I can to serve the military in whatever they need me to do," said Scott.
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