Thursday, June 21, 2007

Fort Belvoir celebrates Army’s 232nd birthday

Fort Belvoir celebrated the Army’s 232nd birthday “Army Strong” with an observance in front of Abbot Hall Thursday.

The installation also marked its participation in Virginia’s celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.

“This is a great opportunity to recognize the birth of our Army and also celebrate Flag Day,” said Col. Brian Lauritzen, installation commander.  “America would not be the powerful beacon of democracy that it is today without the exceptional men and women who have served in our Army.”

Former commanders and command sergeants major of the installation were invited to the Army birthday celebration.

“The concept for today’s ceremony was born from the idea that we need to bring back those that led the installation in the past,” said Lauritzen, “so they might see where we’ve come since they were here and then get an inkling about where we might be headed.”

Lauritzen then commented on the tremendous transformation that Fort Belvoir is about to undertake.

“We have embarked on a major transformation of our post,” said Lauritzen.  “Completion of plans for the BRAC realignment is scheduled to bring on upwards of 22,000 personnel. We will soon break ground on over seven million square feet of building structure. Seven million square feet of parking facilities will also be constructed.  When we’re done, we will be home to about 45,000 workers supporting our national defense.”

In recognition of Fort Belvoir being selected as an official community of celebration for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown by the Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Lauritzen issued a proclamation about the event that was read by post historian Gus Person:

In celebration of Flag Day, Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Tracey E. Anbiya remarked on the welcoming effect that the American flag has on its onlookers.

“Those of us who have lived and served on foreign lands can testify to the warm feeling of pride that rushes in at the sight of the stars and stripes flying outside an American embassy, military post or an American business,” said Anbiya.  “For a brief moment, when you spot the familiar pattern of red white and blue, you suddenly feel at home. Where else might we look for the patriotic stirrings but in the bright red and white stripes of Old Glory with stars spread across a field of blue on the American flag? There is no truer symbol of our unity.”

Participants came away from the event with a better understanding of where Belvoir has been, where it is now and where it is going.

“I was here from ‘93 to ‘96,” said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Lester Sinclair.  “This is my first time back here.  I see a lot of improvements from the last time I was here.”

Sinclair then remarked on how the uniqueness of Fort Belvoir contributed to his happiness here.

“This post turned out to be my best post,” said Sinclair. “It was because you get to work so closely with civilians and the military.  It takes a team of military members and civilians to run a military installation.”