Belvoir Eagle, January 14, 2021 by InsideNoVa

BELVOIR

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January 14, 2021

Army leader talks housing mayor program By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle

ryan Gossage, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, visited Fort Belvoir Friday to discuss housing with leadership, RCI partners and some residents. Gossage, who is the principal deputy advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army on all matters related to Installation policy, and privatization of Army

family housing, said that he is seeing progress in improving the quality of privatized housing. “From an installation and housing standpoint, there’s work to be done, and we’re getting after it,” Gossage said. “Our people first strategy is something that we take seriously, along with our new Army installation strategy. When we execute on these things, we will be a better Army, and be a better Army for our Soldiers.” Col. Joshua SeGraves, garrison commander,

Virginia National Guard supporting security effort in Washington, D.C. By Cotton Puryear Virginia Joint Force Headquarters, Public Affairs

he Virginia National Guard has approximately 1,000 personnel on the ground in Washington D.C. as of Saturday, and additional personnel will join in the coming days to assist civilian law enforcement with security operations. The VNG plans to provide about 2,000 personnel total to join a force of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from neighboring states expected to reach 6,200 by the end of the weekend. The Soldiers and Airmen will assist in protecting property and providing a safe environment for citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest. The VNG personnel are scheduled to be on duty through the Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20. “Once again our Soldiers and Airmen left their full-time jobs and loved ones to answer the call of duty to help keep their fellow

citizens safe,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam authorized the VNG support after a request from the mayor of Washington, D.C. Department of Defense and National Guard Bureau officials asked multiple states to identify units able to support law enforcement and Washington, D.C. National Guard. In addition to Virginia, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York are providing support. VNG personnel began mustering Wednesday evening and the first groups of Soldiers and Airmen began supporting the security effort Thursday. Additional troops arrived Friday, and more will arrive Saturday and Sunday. They will remain under the control of the Virginia Governor under Title 32, 502 (f) orders for up to 31 days. Civilian law enforcement officers are responsible for the safety and security of all personnel, and the National Guard will provide assistance as requested.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham

Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the 229 Military Police Company stand guard at their post near the John Adams Building, Library of Congress, Saturday, in Washington, D.C. 3

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offered a status update on the 2,100 privatized homes on the installation in a meeting with Gossage and the RCI partners that own and manage the homes. “The top three issues were HVAC remediation, electrical concerns and water intrusion, which is a problem with historic homes,” SeGraves said, noting that there is progress on all fronts. “When I took command, we were at 1,500 backlog work orders, some of that because of COVID,” SeGraves said. SeGraves added that that number needs to be seen in context with more than 30,000 work orders placed each year.

Photo by Paul Lara

Bryan Gossage, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Installations, Energy and Environment, center, meets with Village mayors for an update on the housing situation. Gossage said his experience has shown the increased communications with mayors can be quite helpful to residents.

Mayor Program unwinding issues In order to improve communications and build esprit de corps, Belvoir initiated a mayor’s program, with each of the 15 villages having one of its residents assume the lead in outreach and resident communication, with several villages also having a deputy mayor to assist. Gossage said it is a strategy that is helping to unwind many issues. “The mayor program is something that I’ve seen initiated as I’ve travelled to 12 states and 40 installations. There are places that have put the mayor program in place, and they have seen positive changes as a result,” Gossage said. “Clearly, having the mayor program is effective; it results in good things for Soldiers and for resolving issues for their families.” Staff Sgt. Candice Vierling, the Vernondale Village mayor, said while there are some communications issues to be worked out, she can see a difference. “Ever since the mayor program started for us, I feel that the residents are more comfortable talking to somebody, compared to constantly reaching out to a community manager or Michaels,” she said. “I’m in charge

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January 14, 2021

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Soldiers, civilians to repay tax deferments through December 2021 By Thomas Brading Army News Service

he Defense Finance and Accounting Service is planning to extend payroll collections for Soldiers and Army civilians through December 2021 to reimburse a tax deferment designed to support personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. A presidential memorandum signed in August temporarily paused a portion of Social Security, called Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, or OASDI, tax currently set at 6.2% of an individual’s base pay from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. The payroll tax deferral was intended to provide financial relief to both civilian employees who make less than $4,000 per pay period and Service members with a monthly basic pay of less than $8,666.66, according to DFAS. “This is a two-phase approach,” said Larry Lock, chief of compensation and entitlements with the Army’s G-1 office. To recoup funds, Service members and civilians will pay the deferred 2020 Social Security tax as well as the normal 6.2% Social Security tax withholdings, said Michelle O. Francois, acting chief of the G-1’s Civilian Personnel Benefits and Compensation Division. Soldiers and civilians were unable to opt-out of the original deferral, and will be unable to opt-into any payment plan other than what is in motion, Lock said. To account for the additional taxes, he urges members to plan now by calculating the amount of Social Security taxes deferred during this calendar year. To determine the amount owed, personnel should: • Log into the myPay website and navigate to

Graphic provided Thomas Hamilton III/U.S. Army Europe

Soldiers and Army civilians can expect smaller paychecks from January through April 2021 to reimburse a tax deferment designed to support personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. the final 2020 leave and earning statement. • Multiply 6.2% times the amount of basic pay received from September through December 2020. Once 2020 W-2s post in January, only the total FICA taxes currently collected will be available. However, once the back taxes are repaid, personnel should expect a W-2c, the Corrected Wages and Tax Statement, which will include the collection of the owed amount. This will not change the deadlines established by the Internal Revenue Service for filing income tax returns next year. The automated payback system isn’t “onesize-fits-all,” said Lock, adding that the amount owed could fluctuate for recently separated or retired personnel. All members will still be required to repay their deferred tax amount in full. Under this circumstance, the government will reimburse

the taxes to the IRS on their behalf, Lock said. If the taxes are not subtracted from their last check, the member “will receive a debt notice with instructions on repayment information” from DFAS, he added. Under these circumstances, the collection will happen through a debt management process and a letter will be sent to the individual’s address of record and posted through the myPay website in January. The letter will outline instructions for repayment to be made via Pay.gov. According to Lock, individuals who entered military service during the deferred period will end up repaying for less, depending on their entry date. The total amount will still be spread evenly through the next calendar year. Active-duty Soldiers, Army civilians and retired Soldiers should visit www.dfas. mil/taxes/Social-Security-Deferral for the latest information. USAG FORT BELVOIR Installation Management Command

The survey ends Jan. 15

How to Resolve Housing Concerns LEVEL 1 – SUBMIT YOUR WORK ORDER

• Online - www.villagesatbelvoir.com • In-Person - Maintenance Facility Building 1108 • Phone - 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance Request Line: 703-619-3880

Fort Belvoir housing residents, be on the look out for your CEL Tenant Satisfaction Survey! Resident feedback, as part of the housing satisfaction survey, will help inform plans for improvements to housing, resident services, and community amenities to provide a better quality of life for service members and their families. Participation is voluntary and confidential – no personally identifiable information is shared with DoD or privatized housing landlords.

LEVEL 2 – MAKE CONTACT

• Villages at Belvoir Management: 571-318-7546 • Contact Your Chain of Command • Fort Belvoir Housing Office: 703-805-3018/3019

LEVEL 3 – CONTACT GARRISON COMMANDER • Garrison Commander’s Housing Hotline: 571-259-9867 • Submit concerns to the Fort Belvoir Interactive Customer Evaluation ICE System: https://ice.disa.mil

If you didn’t receive a survey, contact CEL via email at ArmyHousingSurvey@celassociates.com to obtain a survey link. When you email CEL you must include your Installation name and complete street address including unit number, if applicable.

Residents with health concerns related to housing conditions, call Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Rapid Hotline: 571-231-2004

Note: CEL is requesting your address information only to look up your home’s Survey ID, this will ensure each household only completes one survey.

Commander .............................................COL Joshua SeGraves Command Sergeant Major .................... CSM Gregory Kleinholz Director of Public Affairs ..........................................Joe Richard Deputy Director Public Affairs.......................... Ganesa Robinson Managing Editor ......................................................Terry Ruggles Content Coordinator ...............................................Eliza Cantrell Reporter/Photographer ................................................. Paul Lara Reporter ..................................................................Dave Fawcett Page Designer ........................................................ Betty Watson The Belvoir Eagle is published in cooperation with the Public Affairs Office, 9820 Flagler Road, Fort Belvoir, VA, 22060. To contact the Belvoir Eagle, email us at usarmy.belvoir.imcom-atlantic.mbx.public-affairs-office@mail.mil. Submission deadline is noon Thursday. The Belvoir Eagle is published each Thursday — by Rappahannock Media LLC, 1372 Old Bridge Road, Suite 101, Woodbridge, VA 22192, a private firm in no way connected with

LEVELS OF ESCALATION

Eagle Volume 29 Issue 51

the Department of the Army — as a civilian enterprise newspaper in the interest of Fort Belvoir, Va. Views and opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Military District of Washington or Fort Belvoir. Advertisement in this publication, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services by Department of the Army. Everything advertised herein must be made

available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to the race, creed, age, color, sex, or nationality of the purchaser, user, or patron unless precluded by applicable federal, state or local laws. For Classified advertisement information, call 703-771-8831. To advertise in the Eagle contact Rick Bockes at 703-987-0854. Belvoir Eagle is a registered trademark. Circulation: 19,000.

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January 14, 2021

Belvoir Eagle

Belvoir Library holds MLK Day Essay Contest By David Fawcett Belvoir Eagle

ooking to add different programs to engage the community, the Fort Belvoir Library will hold its first writing essay contest this month. Using Martin Luther King Day as the inspiration, the library is asking participants to answer the question: “What equality means to you?” This is a virtual contest that runs now through Jan. 22 and is broken down into four age categories: Adult (18 or older), Teen (13 to 17 years of age), Youth (9 to 12 years of age) and Child (8 and under). Participants can submit entries as an individual or as part of a team. There is no cost. Each essay must run no more than two pages and can be doublespace typed, hand-written or done in creative art. Participants can submit their entries two ways: to usarmy. belvoir.id-sustainment.mbx. library@mail.mil as an attachment or typed up or scanned. Or they can drop them off in person at the library Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library asks that participants call ahead of time to say they are coming by with their

entries and that they don’t not leave their entry in the drop box. Fort Belvoir’s Library staff has held reading contests in the past, but wanted to branch out by doing a writing contest as well. The key is finding ways to make it educational and entertaining. “For the writing contests, we want to do something for fun rather than make it sound like we are making them do something,” said Nilya Carrato, Fort Belvoir’s supervisory librarian. Carrato and her staff will serve as judges. Essays will be judged on “overall substance, organization, style and correctness.” Carrato said first, second and third prizes will be awarded for each age category. Winners will be announced Jan. 25. Carrato said the library is looking forward to using this format as a way to connect with regular library customers who they haven’t seen as often because of the pandemic. “It’s a nice surprise when the finished product comes in and we can say we know the family name,” Carrato said. Carrato said the library plans to do more writing contests this year with the next one scheduled in the spring.

Photo by Paul Lara

Visitors walk through the Martin Luther King Memorial, featuring a 30-foot statue of Dr. King and prominent quotes from the civil rights leader, in this 2015 file photo.

Belvoir Eagle

January 14, 2021

www.belvoireagleonline.com From Belvoir Mayor, page 1

of 164 homes, and I think that I’m just another voice that residents can come and talk to, if they don’t have anyone else to talk to or feel comfortable talking to someone else. As a mayor, another person to talk to is really good. I’ve had a positive time being a mayor and I love helping people, so this has been good for me as well.” Following a windshield tour of the installation with Gossage and inspection of one of the homes, the group met with several mayors Friday afternoon. SeGraves said the monumental scale of the housing issues is not something that can be solved quickly, but noted the numbers indicate significant improvement.

People First “We know there’s going to be bumps in the road, and it’s not a 100 percent solution overnight, but these mayors are making a difference,” said SeGraves. “When you take Gen. McConville and the Army’s policy of people first, these mayors are making a difference in their residents’ lives every single day. I’m hearing individual stories from residents, and through Jennifer (Hudson, Fort Belvoir Garrison’s Ombudsman), on the things the mayors are doing. So, when you talk about a People First strategy, they are executing that on the ground for Soldiers at Fort Belvoir, and it’s not just Soldiers, because as I’d mentioned, we’re a 77 percent joint installation. Mayors are making it a better community.” Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Unruh, a deputy mayor, has lived on Fort Belvoir five years,

Photo by Paul Lara

Bryan Gossage, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, left, tours a home on Fort Belvoir, Friday. Gossage spoke with Col. Joshua SeGraves, garrison commander, center, and several Village mayors about improving living conditions in privatized housing. and agreed that communication among his neighbors in the community has moved the dial. “I’ve been doing this for six months, trying to help the mayor tie up loose ends and learn what it takes to be a mayor. The Service member to Service member contact I’m having in my community seems very effective, and the family members seem to approach the mayor program a lot more positively than they have with reaching out to housing or the garrison, so it’s been a positive moment for me.” Some of the tools employed by the mayor program includes a dedicated Facebook community for each Village; monthly coordination meetings with mayors and property management; a monthly newsletter from the mayor; and a quarterly site walk by the mayor to revise the Village’s action plan.

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The Secret of Successful Force Management Capabilities Development, Material Development, Force Structure, Planning, Programming, fter attending three courses Budgeting and Execution and Force over 10 years at the Fort Development. Belvoir-Based Army Force “It goes in-depth about the Management School, Kevin Vink processes and the systems that decided to take the next step. So make the job better,” Vink said. impressed with what he learned Students take the course as a student, Vink became an from all over the world. At the instructor at the school where he moment, every course is taught teaches the “How the Army Runs” virtually. While there are pros course. and cons between teaching in“This was a way to give back person and teaching virtually, Vink and help out,” said Vink, a retired said students remain engaged. Army colonel who joined the staff He said the virtual sessions in January of 2018 after coming especially benefit those who are over from the Office of the Under uncomfortable raising their hand Secretary of Defense for Personnel in a class, but will ask a question and Readiness, where he served through the chat forum. as the director for financial and Vink said the feedback he resource management. receives from former students, HTARC is a foundational even a year later, makes his course and its most well known Photo courtesy AFMS job fulfilling. He and his fellow in the Army Force Management Colin Hoyseth is the How the Army Runs Course Director. instructors also receive inquiries School, where the purpose is to from other bases with questions. help leaders turn ideas into reality management coded position. Those sent to the “I really enjoy the students and how much through implementation. school are selected “by appropriate DA Staff they get out of this,” Vink said. “They learn “Very few people understand how the agencies and Army commands.” things they never learned before. And they ask Army runs,” said Col. George Lewis, AFMS The application part of the course features student research-study, working with the Force deep, meaningful questions.” Commandant. “If you can learn that, you are a How to register for HTARC classes: Contact Management System Web, a case study and a great asset to your organization.” your ATRRS POC or Training Manager, and capstone project. According to its brochure, the four-week “It’s long enough to go in depth on structure, ask to attend ATRRS course: 134-HTARCHTARC is offered nine times during the year but not too long,” said Wayne Chalupa, AFMS’s 100-3R. If you need assistance, contact the where the “target audience is officers (Captain registrar: Mr. Duane Stubbs, 703-805-4904 or department chair for operations. through Colonel), W02-W05 and civilians Duane.Stubbs.ctr@mail.mil. The course covers six modules: Strategy, (GS: 11-15) working in or going to a force By David Fawcett Belvoir Eagle

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January 14, 2021

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Volunteers help Belvoir families by loading their cars with fresh produce and canned goods at the USO Harvest Market, Jan. 6.

Photos by Paul Lara

USO Harvest Market helps stretch family food budgets By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle

ars were lined up outside USO’s AllStar warehouse on Jackson Loop, and stretched down the block, waiting for the January Harvest Market to give just a little assistance to an already beleaguered budget. The monthly distribution, which had previously been called Supermarket Sweeps, has been re-worked by USO staff to be safer and even more convenient, according to Amy Altersitz, USO manager of innovations and field operations. “Families used to park outside, come in and make selections through the warehouse. Now, because of COVID, we’ve set up the drive-and-go style of distribution. Families pull up, pop open their trunks and we load them up, close the trunk, and send them on their way,” Altersitz said. “I think we’ve been able to see more people, especially with kids being home now. They don’t have to worry about getting their children out of the car and put them in strollers. The faces on the kids are pretty cute, as the volunteers like to wave to them. It’s nice to be able to give back.” Bruce Holthus, USO warehouse manager, said this monthly program is “absolutely wonderful.” “The first Wednesday of every month, I go to the Capital Area Food Bank, and pick up whatever items are being donated,” Holthus said. “We find out the day before from the Food Bank how many pallets I’m picking up. This month, I picked up five

pallets of produce.” As families drove into place, a team of dedicated volunteers braved the cold wind and pre-sorted and boxed items to speed up the distribution of fresh produce, which included cabbage, potatoes and carrots, along with peanuts, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, canned fruit, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Altersitz said Harvest Market is such a success because of a dedicated team of a dozen volunteers. “They show up every month, cold or rain, it doesn’t matter. They’re out there greeting

USO hosts Harvest Market at the USO warehouse on Jackson Loop, Jan. 6, as Fort Belvoir families recieve fresh produce and canned goods to help stretch their food budget.

the family members, socially distanced. They really enjoy the engagement with the families and we have several volunteers that are prior service, and this is their way to give back to the next generation of Service members and families. It’s really nice to see their connection out there,” she said. Altersitz said this program helps family budgets to go a little further to provide fresh food for the family. “Fort Belvoir has been a huge supporter of the program, even during COVID. They’ve worked with us to still be able to do the program safely, and help everybody in the military community. It’s not just Belvoir. Our families come from all over; all the different bases in the area, to receive our food,” said Altersitz. If you’d like to give back to Service members and their families, Altersitz said the USO is always looking for more volunteers. “If you can help, not just here at the All-Star Depot on Fort Belvoir, but we also have all our centers in the area. Our seven locations can always use more volunteers. You can sign up and someone from your local location will get in touch with you,” Altersitz said. “It’s really great, because you can volunteer here at Belvoir; at Fort Meade; at both airports; or help with a special project; so you have a lot of different opportunities to help give back to the community.” To reach out, go to volunteers.uso.org for more information.

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January 14, 2021

Belvoir Eagle

Disabled Veterans enjoy life-long AAFES access • Primary family caregivers for Veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Compiled by Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle

he Army & Air Force Exchange Service is celebrating the first anniversary of welcoming home 4.1 million service-connected disabled Veterans to their lifelong, in-store shopping benefit. The new privilege, which launched Jan. 1, 2020, was specified in the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, included in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. “Welcoming home serviceconnected disabled Veterans with a lifelong Exchange benefit has been a bright spot during 2020,” said Exchange Director/ CEO Tom Shull, a Vietnam-era Army Veteran. “Our Nation’s heroes fought for us and deserve this benefit-and the Exchange is privileged to take care of disabled Veterans through the in-person shopping benefit.” In-person shopping at military exchanges, commissaries and

Photo by Paul Lara

Service-connected disabled veterans enjoy lifetime access to the Commissary, seen in this 2017 file photo, and the Exchange on Fort Belvoir. morale, welfare and recreation retail facilities on U.S. military installations was expanded to: • All Veterans with serviceconnected disabilities • Purple Heart recipients • Former prisoners of war

“The Fort Belvoir Exchange team has welcomed home service-connected disabled Veterans with open arms,” said Fort Belvoir Exchange General Manager JoAnne Cahalan. “These shoppers have a vital place in our community. It has been a privilege to serve these heroes with safe, sanitized and secure shopping.” Before the expansion, only Veterans with 100% serviceconnected disabilities could shop in person. (Active-duty Service members, their dependents and military retirees also have in-store and online privileges.) Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Exchange is providing a safe and secure shopping experience. Protecting the force and the military community is AAFES’s top priority. Contactless shopping options, including curbside pickup

and ordering at ShopMyExchange. com, are available to Veterans with service-connected disabilities. Buy online, pickup in store service and restaurant carryout are available as well. In Exchange stores, acrylic shields have been installed at checkout, floor decals and signage remind shoppers about maintaining physical distance, and hand sanitizer stations are readily available. Associates and shoppers adhere to Department of Defense guidance on the wearing of cloth face coverings. By shopping the Exchange, Veterans also help those who wear the uniform today. 100% of Exchange earnings are reinvested in the military community, including though dividends to Quality-of-Life programs such as Child, Youth and School Services; Armed Forces Recreation Centers; and more. For more information about the in-store patronage expansion, visit the Veterans section, Exchange Community Hub at https://publicaffairs-sme.com/ Community/veterans.

CAMMO resourceful in supporting military community By David Fawcett Belvoir Eagle

oices of Service was in the middle of recording songs for their new CD when the pandemic shut everything down in mid-March. Without putting everything on pause indefinitely, the quartet, which is part of the Fort Belvoir-based Center for American Military Music Opportunities and received national attention following its performances on America’s Got Talent, needed to figure out a way to still connect through others with music by doing so under different circumstances. At that point, CAMMO co-founder and executive director Cathie Lechareas and her team went to work. “Because of who we are with veterans and active duty, you are going to be resourceful,” said Lechareas, who is a Navy veteran herself. One change involved location. CAMMO usually recorded at a building in Arlington, but social distancing restrictions made that impossible. Instead, CAMMO used larger churches like Calvary Baptist and Lake Ridge Baptist in Woodbridge to help complete the project that ended up as a four-song EP. The two houses of worship provided the space and equipment CAMMO needed. Voices of Service used Lake Ridge to shoot “Let Me Raise My Voice” and Calvary Baptist to film for the Kelly Clarkson Show. It helped that one Voices of Service member, Caleb Green, attends Calvary Baptist. One of Calvary’s pastors, Jon Waller, also does the filming and plays the piano. The adjustments allowed Voices of Service to continue their mission of using music “to increase awareness of the therapeutic impact that performing as well as listening to music

can have on service men and women who are coping with post-traumatic stress and other invisible/visible wounds.” It’s a mission that fits into CAMMO’s overall goal of offering “career guidance and artist development to veterans and active Service members interested in pursuing music industry careers in production, recording, management and other related music career as well as other services to the greater community of veterans, active Service Courtesy photo members and their families.” Voices of Service members Caleb Green, Jason Hanna, Christal CAMMO, which was Rheams and Ron Henry at Calvary Baptist Church in Woodbridge founded in 2009 at Fort last October. Belvoir by Lechareas and express thoughts, emotions, and experiences others, is using additional ways to connect in a safe, supportive, and structured manner,” virtually as well. Lechareas said. “With everyone sheltering in “We’re trying to find ways to stay out in place I thought there was more of a need.” the public eye to keep our programs going,” Lechareas also credited Von Vargas from the Lechareas said. “We’ve lost a lot of funding. Grammy Recording Academy Washington DC The grants have dried up.” Chapter in helping CAMMO helped with their Working with the Songwriters Association virtual and live workshops. of Washington, they started holding It’s “another example of how we work with songwriting workshops in September with others to support our veteran community,” more planned in January. “We’ve partnered with SAW before the shut- Lechareas said, For the time being, CAMMO halted its down so we all know each other,” Lechareas program for little kids only because it’s said. “When our live camp was canceled and there wasn’t a safe way to hold it, I reached out understandably harder for the younger-aged children to concentrate virtually. But CAMMO to Jay Keating the President of SAW and they still offers programs for older kids. They most helped us figure it out. They have an amazing recently did a holiday performance with the USO. team and we love working with them.” “A lot of our teens are struggling now with Lechareas said the workshops are not being in school or sports,” Lechareas said. therapeutic, especially during this time. “They don’t have those outlets.” “Songwriting is so important: a way to

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ALL PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTEND AN ESTIMATED 60-90 MINUTE IN-HOME PRODUCT CONSULTATION WILL RECEIVE A $25 GIFT CARD. RETAIL VALUE IS $25. OFFER SPONSORED BY LEAFGUARD HOLDINGS INC. LIMIT ONE PER HOUSEHOLD. COMPANY PROCURES, SELLS, AND INSTALLS SEAMLESS GUTTER PROTECTION. THIS OFFER IS VALID FOR HOMEOWNERS OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE. IF MARRIED OR INVOLVED WITH A LIFE PARTNER, BOTH COHABITATING PERSONS MUST ATTEND AND COMPLETE PRESENTATION TOGETHER. PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE A PHOTO ID, BE ABLETO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH,AND BE LEGALLY ABLETO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT.THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FORTHIS OFFER: EMPLOYEES OF COMPANY OR AFFILIATED COMPANIES OR ENTITIES, THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS IN A COMPANY IN-HOME CONSULTATION WITHIN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND ALL CURRENT AND FORMER COMPANY CUSTOMERS. GIFT MAY NOT BE EXTENDED, TRANSFERRED, OR SUBSTITUTED EXCEPT THAT COMPANY MAY SUBSTITUTE A GIFT OF EQUAL OR GREATER VALUE IF IT DEEMS IT NECESSARY. GIFT CARD WILL BE MAILED TO THE PARTICIPANT VIA FIRST CLASS UNITED STATES MAIL OR E-MAILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THE PROMOTION FORM. NOT VALID IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTION OR DISCOUNT OF ANY KIND. OFFER NOT SPONSORED OR PROMOTED BY DARDEN AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE PRIOR TO RESERVATION. EXPIRES 1/31/21.**ON PURCHASES WITH YOUR SYNCHRONY BANK CREDIT CARD. INTEREST WILL BE CHARGED TO YOUR ACCOUNT FROM THE PURCHASE DATE IF THE PROMOTIONAL PURCHASE IS NOT PAID IN FULL WITHIN 12 MONTHS. $29 ACCOUNT ACTIVATION FEE WILL APPLY. FIXED MONTHLY PAYMENTS REQUIRED EQUAL TO 2.5% OF THE HIGHEST BALANCE APPLICABLE TO THIS PROMO PURCHASE UNTIL PAID IN FULL. OFFER APPLIES ONLY TO SINGLE-RECEIPT QUALIFYING PURCHASES. NO MONTHLY INTEREST WILL BE CHARGED ON THE PROMO PURCHASE IF YOU PAY THE PROMO PURCHASE AMOUNT IN FULL [WITHIN12 MONTHS]. IFYOU DO NOT, MONTHLY INTERESTWILL BE CHARGED ONTHE PROMO PURCHASE FROM THE PURCHASE DATE. FIXED MONTHLY PAYMENTS ARE REQUIRED EQUAL TO 2.5% OF THE HIGHEST BALANCE APPLICABLE TO THIS PROMO PURCHASE UNTIL PAID IN FULL. THE FIXED MONTHLY PAYMENT WILL BE ROUNDED TO THE NEXT HIGHEST WHOLE DOLLAR AND MAY BE HIGHER THAN THE MINIMUM PAYMENT THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE PURCHASE WAS A NON-PROMOTIONAL PURCHASE. DEPENDING ON PURCHASE AMOUNT, PROMOTION LENGTH AND PAYMENT ALLOCATION, THE REQUIRED MINIMUM MONTHLY PAYMENTS MAY OR MAY NOT PAY OFF PURCHASE BY END OF PROMOTIONAL PERIOD. REGULAR ACCOUNT TERMS APPLY TO NON-PROMOTIONAL PURCHASES AND, AFTER PROMOTION ENDS,TO PROMOTIONAL PURCHASE, EXCEPTTHATTHE FIXED MONTHLY PAYMENTWILL CONTINUETO BE REQUIRED UNTIL THE PROMOTION IS PAID IN FULL. FOR NEW ACCOUNTS: PURCHASE APR IS 26.99% MINIMUM INTEREST CHARGE IS $2. ONE-TIME ACCOUNT ACTIVATION FEE OF $29 CHARGED AT TIME FIRST PURCHASE POSTS TO ACCOUNT. EXISTING CARDHOLDERS SHOULD SEE THEIR CREDIT CARD AGREEMENT FOR THEIR APPLICABLE TERMS. SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL. EXPIRES 1/31/21. LEAFGUARD OPERATES AS LEAFGUARD OF DC INVIRGINIA UNDER REGISTRATION NUMBERVA CLASS A LIC.#2705116122,IN MARYLAND UNDER REGISTRATION NUMBER MHIC LIC.#116693, AND IN DC UNDER REGISTRATION NUMBER DC PERMANENT #420219000010.

†

Courtesy photo

Surviving Winter By Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division

t’s getting pretty cold out there. While you might be able to get cozy under blankets at home, wildlife have to be more creative to stay warm. To survive the cold and barren winter, animals use three main strategies.

Migration Many species leave their cold habitat in search of milder climates. Bats, caribou, and elk do the same, however land migrations do not cover as much distance as flight migrations. Certain insects, such as butterflies, also migrate to southern regions for the winter. To reach their destination in time, butterfly migration starts as early as April. Fish who live in lakes that freeze over “migrate” to deeper portions of the lake. When lakes freeze over, the water can no longer exchange oxygen with the air. Sunlight is also blocked, preventing photosynthetic plants from providing oxygen. However, colder water holds much more dissolved oxygen (oxygen in its gaseous form) than warmer water. This causes fish to remain at greater depths and to slow their metabolisms to make sure they get through the winter.

Hibernation Many mammals hibernate for all or part of the winter. In the fall, animals that hibernate eat extra food, storing it in their bodies as fat for the winter. During hibernation, animals enter a very deep sleep in which body temperatures drop and both breathing and heartbeats slow down. This requires very little energy and therefore stretches their fat supplies. Bears, skunks, and chipmunks are great examples of hibernators. Some of these hibernators store nuts and acorns in various locations to use during the last part of the winter after they wake up. Similar to hibernation, many cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish, enter a state of dormancy. These animals often burrow into holes or mud to maintain a survivable body temperature. Amphibians and many fish will hide under rocks, logs, fallen leaves, or even bury themselves in mud under the water.

Adaptations Animals that can adapt to the cold weather are the ones that remain active throughout the winter. The most basic of these adaptations is to grow a thicker winter coat to keep warm. Many of these survivors, such as squirrels, mice, and beavers, gather extra food in the fall and store it in caches for the winter. They will return to these locations throughout the season when food is scarce. Many animals also change their eating habits, switching to things like twigs, buds, and moss instead. However, this is not out of want. Animals eat these low value food sources because their usual dining preferences are no longer available. Surviving winter can be hard, but life always finds a way. Take a hike some time this season and see what evidence of winter wildlife you can find.

www.belvoireagleonline.com

January 14, 2021

Belvoir Eagle

Mild winter, fewer birds during Christmas Bird Count By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle

milder winter up north has resulted in fewer birds migrating to Northern Virginia, according to Kevin Walter, natural resource specialist with the Directorate of Public Works, who coordinated this year’s 121st Christmas Bird Count. “Birds weren’t very active, which is surprising given the amount of rain we had yesterday. Waterfowl activity is low, as they’ve not begun migrating yet,” said Walter. Due to the pandemic, Walter decided to minimize the use of public participation in Saturday’s census. “We had 18 volunteers this year. We only invited those that participated last year,” Walter said. “We were

Photo courtesy Audubon Society

A Virginia Rail inhabits wetlands and shallow swamps, and was one of the unexpected species reported in Fort Belvoir’s 2021 Christmas Bird Count.

actually able to cover all the areas sufficiently with this team, as we made sure we had experts to cover all the areas.” From December 14 through January 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort, according to the Audubon Society. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action. Belvoir is part of the 25-mile Fort Belvoir Christmas Bird Count circle, which also includes Huntley Meadows; Fort Hunt; Mount Vernon; Pohick Regional Park; Mason Neck; Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge; Leesylvania State Park; Burke Lake; Lake Accotink and other surrounding areas. If you are interested in helping, anyone can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds during the weekend of Feb. 12 – 15, for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of Photos by Parul Lara the four-day event and report their A Cardinal feeds on seedpods along Accotink Bay during the 121st sightings online at birdcount.org. Christmas Bird Count, Saturday.

Belvoir Eagle

www.belvoireagleonline.com

January 14, 2021

Belvoir Community Briefs The Army Maintenance App is coming Jan. 19!

is something broken? Do you need DPW/maintenance help in your barracks?

Scan the code below with your smartphone camera to open the Army Maintenance Applicaaon (ArMA) and submit a case.

armymaintenance.com

3471 0761; Passcode: 427099; Dial by location: 1-301-715-8592

The app, which is for those who live in the barracks or overseas family housing, allows users to report routine maintenance problems, quickly and easily. You can sign up for access by using the QR code to sign up today!

Fort Belvoir Family Step Challenge Challenge yourself and your family to a vigorous walk now - Jan. 31. Choose your own course or opt to use our traditional route options on Fort Belvoir. Each participant tracks their daily steps and prizes will be awarded. Rules and eligibility restrictions apply. For more, go to belvoir. armymwr.com or call 703-806-4430.

crafts, story time and other activities. Classes are biweekly, 10 a.m., Fridays. The next session is Jan. 22. Additional classes will be Feb. 5 and 19. Participants will be notified of any changes in the schedule. Registration is required by calling 571-231-7028.

VA Education Briefing Learn about the comparison between Montgomery GI BILL, Post 911 (Forever bill) and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Learn how to apply for the GIBILL, TBD and many more VA resources. Join the briefing today at 10 a.m. via MS Teams. RSVP to the event at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ QQKQ6MH

Winter Reading Program

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Creative Contest

Credentialing Assistance Briefing Interested in learning more about Credentialing Assistance? Now is your chance to learn more about the program from our Credentialing Counselor. The briefing is Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. MS Teams. RSVP to the event at: https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/2HGL9QH

FAFSA Briefing Need money for college? Join Barden Education Center for step by step instructions on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Feb. 2 at noon via ZOOM at https://vccs. zoom.us/j/88234710761; Meeting ID: 882

Celebrate the life and achievements of American civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through the MWR Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Creative Contest, now through Jan.22. Share, in your creative writing or visual art, how you will honor his legacy. Rules and restrictions apply. For entry and more information, go to belvoir. armymwr.com or call 703-805-4244.

Play Morning Play Mornings, hosted by Army Community Service, allows families to connect virtually and have a playgroup experience through

The MWR Library encourages children, teens and adults to support a love of reading by participating in the Winter Reading Program, Jan. 15 - Feb. 15. Readers can win prizes for reaching their reading goals based on grade level categories. For entry details and more information, go to belvoir.armymwr.com or call 703-805-4244.

Dads 101 Let the Army Community Service New Parent Support team show you how to overcome your fears and get comfortable in your paternal role. This virtual class teaches dads and dads-to-be the needed tips and tools to help them become more successful. Classes are from 3 to 4 p.m., Jan. 27, Feb. 10 and 24, March 10 and 24, with additional classes throughout the year. For more information and to register, call 571-231-7028.

COMMENTS “As required by the Garrison’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, Fort Belvoir Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division is accepting comments in writing on the Draft 2021 Sediment Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan for the Lower Accotink Creek until Feb. 15. The documents can be found on the Fort Belvoir web page (home.army.mil/ belvoir) First, search for “Environmental Division.” Once on the page, scroll down to the box marked “Programs and Documents” and click on it. Then click on “MS4 Stormwater Program. Links to all relevant documents can be found here. Submit comments by email to Yari Chiro at yarelis.chiro.civ@mail.mil or at usarmy.belvoir.id-sustainment.mbx. dpw-enrd-stormwater@mail.mil For more information: Stormwater Program 703-806-3406 or Mr. Anthony Gartrell 703-806-3437

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www.belvoireagleonline.com

January 14, 2021

Belvoir Eagle

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Belvoir Eagle

www.belvoireagleonline.com

January 14, 2021

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