Fort Belvoir, Va. -- The bond between the civic community and Soldiers was on full display Tuesday evening, during the 10th annual Springfield Community Bridge Walk.
Soldiers from Fort Belvoir were greeted with words of encouragement and praise as they marched across Veterans Bridge along with a variety of business and organization representatives from Fairfax County.
The walk's purpose was to honor current and former servicemembers and provide a visual image of the symbolic partnership Belvoir has with the community that surrounds its gates.
"I firmly believe that Fort Belvoir is not an island," said Col. John Strycula, Belvoir's garrison commander. "It is an integrated and integral part of Northern Virginia."
Strycula was accompanied by Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane, Echo Company, 169th Engineer Battalion and the Headquarters Battalion.
Strycula, who is always impressed to see Belvoir and the community walking side-by-side, said the Soldiers who attended the event represented the 8,000 servicemembers and their Families on the installation.
The 169th Eng. Bn. and Headquarters Bn. sang cadences with the civilian community walking along, as the group traveled across Veterans Bridge to the American Legion Post 176.
The Legion parking lot and interior auditorium were filled with food, raffles and a variety of informative table displays from local community groups and Belvoir, including Belvoir Federal Credit Union and the Defense Logistics Agency.
Boy Scouts, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, The Ladies of Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars were some of the community organizations that attended.
Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Supervisor, Lee District, and Bridge Walk sponsor, explained the event continues to grown in popularity.
"We thought it'd be a one-year thing," McKay said. "Here we are in our 10th year."
Strycula, McKay, Northern Virginia politicians and a representative from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency each gave brief speeches after the march across the bridge.
Strycula said he was extremely appreciative of the civilian support and adamantly stated that Belvoir intends to continue to be a quality friend to the community.
"The only way that we'll solve the challenges and the issues that confront us all, is through partnership and dialogue," Strycula said.
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 days away, McKay asked those who attended to honor both servicemembers and the men and women in public safety who help protect the community on a daily basis.
Cardell Richardson, deputy director of security and installation operations for NGA, attended the event on behalf of NGA Director Letitia long.
"When you move into a new community, it's always great to have great neighbors," said Cardell. NGA is one of Belvoir's many new additions from the Base Realignment and Closure Act, and will reside in Belvoir's North Area.
Cardell said the walk was a perfect opportunity for the NGA to meet its community.
"We're committed to being here," Cardell said.
The continued partnership between Belvoir and the community was cemented in ink during the event's Army Community Covenant signing. The signing, which began in 2009, reaffirms support by state and local communities to active, Guard and Reserve servicemembers and their Families.
Strycula, McKay, Cardell, Fort Belvoir Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane and the politicians all signed the covenant on behalf of Soldiers and the civilian community.
Cardell said it symbolized that "we all recognize the service of servicemembers who are giving their service and their lives, in some cases, in support of national defense."
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