FORT A.P. HILL, Va. -- Fort A.P. Hill celebrated the completion of a bridge and employee relocations to new workspace with both ribbon cutting and log cutting ceremonies Friday.
Lt. Col. Jack Haefner, Fort A.P. Hill garrison commander, and representatives from the Directorate of Public Works and Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security joined to cut a ribbon tied to Burma Road Bridge near Pender Camp Friday.
The bridge was replaced to better support the Warriors traversing the road with Stryker vehicles heading to training areas to include Pender Camp.
The original steel beam and concrete structure built in the 1960s could support up to 24 tons. Today, the $637-thousand dollar bridge supports up to 40 tons. Fort A.P. Hill contracted with TMG Services, Inc., which has a local satellite office in the Town of Bowling Green, for the project, according to Jean Schofield, Fort A.P. Hill contracting officer's representative for the project.
Following the ribbon cutting, the garrison commander traveled to the Dirt Bridge Road Building where a log and saw awaited him.
Larry Capelle, forester, was the first to join Haefner in sawing the log, celebrating the joint move of Forestry and Fish and Wildlife branches to the building. Capelle was soon followed by John Yowell and Ben Fulton of the Fish and Wildlife Branch and Anne Ulrey, assistant forester.
The two branches moved into the building in December. The building was previously owned by the Boy Scouts of America and was occupied by BSA staff over the years for the planning of the National Scout Jamborees. BSA turned the building over to FAPH, providing more office space for the Environmental and Natural Resources Division staff, according to Fulton
Fulton was delighted with the new workspace as opposed to a World War II building he previously occupied. Now, both natural resource programs operate out of the same building.
"We can work closely on forestry and wildlife programs," Fulton said.
No renovations were necessary prior to the move--only repainting and carpet cleaning, according to Fulton.
Haefner noted the focal point of both ceremonies was to celebrate success.
"It's a great way to celebrate the human effort that goes into making this great Fort A.P. Hill," Haefner said.
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