Fort Belvoir certainly has holiday spirit. Anywhere you look, you see lights, bows and ornaments. Even when surrounded by decorations and cheer, it can be hard to celebrate the holidays while a loved one is deployed.

Seventeen years ago, former Fort Belvoir teacher, Judy Heard, was bestowed two life-changing honors within seven days.

Over the coming weeks we will celebrate many religious, ethnic, and cultural holidays.

Have you eaten enough leftover turkey yet? I’m going to serve up some turkey stories as my own version of a leftover Thanksgiving column.

Citing the many blessings bestowed upon the United States, these timeless words were delivered by Abraham Lincoln in his 1863 proclamation establishing Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday:

Over Thanks-
giving, our lives transform from their usual chaotic pace into a frenzy of family and food as we come together with other Zichs to share a holiday meal.

I’m no longer the stay-at-home mom and freelance writer I was for almost 15 years.

Last week, the Belvoir Eagle ran a commentary on page B2 that chronicled the frustration one off the staffers had during a sporting event

I just read your front page story, Oct. 16, entitled “Belvoir hero risks her life to save best friend.“

I used to make myself and my family crazy in the autumn, planning trips and shuffling schedules, all to see a leaf change in western Pennsylvania.