Eagle BELVOIR
Belvoir Bulldogs begin season Pages A8-A9
www.belvoireagleonline.com
September 24, 2015
Up Front Combined Federal Campaign
The annual Combined Federal Campaign has begun. Info on ways to give is available from www.cfcnca.org.
Oktoberfest Warm-up
Friday, 4-9 p.m. at the Fort Belvoir Golf Club, Bldg. 2920. Gear up for a great Oktober by joining us on the patio to enjoy German music, drinks and German food specials. The golf club’s number is 703-8065878.
Mount Vernon-Lee Celebration
Photo by Adrienne Anderson
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital staff carry an injured man into the hospital facility. The hospital, along with other organizations, participated in the annual Belvoir Eagle Response Exercise in order to test their processes and procedures during an emergency situation.
Fort Belvoir conducts annual exercise By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Fort Belvoir’s Belvoir Eagle Response Exercise was conducted Sept. 17 and included a variety of scenarios in order to test processes and procedures. David Gundersen, chief of operations for Fort Belvoir garrison, said the exercise focused on recovery and began with sending out messages about an impending hurricane. The exercise started 18 hours after the hurricane. Scenarios included cyber attacks; a downed helicopter;
media management; and a truck explosion, Gundersen said. The exercise was in conjunction with the Military District of Washington’s Capital Shield exercise, he said. Several of Belvoir’s mission partners, agencies and organizations participated in the exercise, including Fort Belvoir Community Hospital; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Fairfax County and many installation partners. To maintain clear communication and accountability, agencies participat-
ing used Web Emergency Operations Center to keep up-to-date on what was happening in the affected areas. WebEOC is an information management system that provides real-time information of situations. “That was one of the key items to come out of this, the best practice of web EOC and utilizing that system for future exercises and contingencies,” Gundersen said, adding using it allows others to brief their leaders. Overall, he said the use of webEOC was successful during the exercise.
Local retirees celebrated, informed on appreciation day By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Military retirees had an all-day event planned solely for them Friday, which focused on providing information and resources to the community. The Directorate of Human Resources hosted Retiree Appreciation Day, which included a health fair with flu shots; a chance to drop off unused or expired prescription medicines; and a Q&A session with garrison leaders. Col. Michelle D. Mitchell, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir, commander, along with garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Guillory, recognized members of the Retiree Council during the event. “It’s always a special day because each and every one
Photo by Adrienne Anderson
A retiree speaks to Fort Belvoir Garrison leaders at a Q&A session during Friday’s annual Retiree Appreciation Day. of us can appreciate others who have served, we can appreciate the younger troops that are coming up and their See RETIREES, Page A6
The free Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce’s Celebration is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parkers Lane, Alexandria. The event includes music, a local business expo, kids’ activities, food vendors, eco-friendly businesses and senior games. It also has a chili cookoff, ugliest dog contest and a cute baby contest. Info is available from www. mtvernon-leechamber.org or by calling 703-360-6925.
Fire safety art contest ends Wednesday
The Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services and the Villages at Belvoir have partnered for a Fire Safety Art Contest, which is open through the month to all eligible children who live on Belvoir. Children who submit a fire-prevention poster could win a ride to school in a fire truck with the Fort Belvoir Fire Department. Posters should promote fire prevention in the home, at school or in the community. Residents’ children can use markers, paint, cutouts, pictures, etc., to be creative, but are asked not to use any live matches on the posters. Residents in kindergarten through 8th grade can enter. Winners will be selected from two categories — kindergarten-4th grade and 5th-8th grade. Canvases are available at community management offices all month and have to be returned to them by 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30. Winners will be announced the week of Oct. 5.
Free market donations, event
The Protestant Women of the Chapel has their fall free market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 2 at Religious Education Center. People can donate goods for the event Oct. 1 from 1 to 6 p.m.