Thursday, June 25, 2009

BRAC FACT

The new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital has 925 miles worth of electrical wiring in it. That is enough wiring to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Miami.

Housing makeovers set to begin in August

By Jacqueline Leeker
Public Affairs intern

Renovation and construction of homes in Woodlawn Village will begin in August with the renovation of the village occurring in phases to be completed in October 2011.

“Every home in Woodlawn Village will be fully renovated with the latest upgrades,“ said Adam Owens, Development Associate with Clark Realty Capital, L.L.C.

The renovation is the latest phase of the Residential Communities Initiative at the installation.

“Dates are tentative and subject to the construction schedule,“ said Jennifer Watkins, marketing director at Pinnacle. “Residents will be notified 60-90 days in advance of any changes.“
The interiors and exteriors of the homes in Woodlawn Village will be renovated.

“Woodlawn Village will be getting a new Neighborhood Center,“ Owens said. “Although it is early in the design stage, we plan to incorporate unique amenities such as an outdoor pool and fitness room. The housing will receive exterior renovations such as enhanced landscaping, new roofing and new siding. The interior renovations will include upgraded flooring, lighting, fixtures and appliances.“

“We will attempt to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification for the proposed Woodlawn Village Neighborhood Center,“ he said. LEED is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.

The Fairfax Village Neighborhood Center recently achieved LEED Platinum certification. Woodlawn Village Neighborhood Center would be an additional green building on post. The community benefits from the state- of- the art facility. It will serve as an educational tool and amenity for the children Belvoir.

In addition to a Neighborhood Center, Woodlawn Village homes will receive EnergyStar appliances, high efficiency vinyl windows, and sustainable materials incorporated into the interior design.
“Backyards will be enlarged and upgraded with a privacy fence,“ said Owens. “A new connecting road will be built to access the Woodlawn Village Neighborhood Center and improve traffic circulation. An enhanced fitness trail, dog park, community garden, improved playfields and tot lots are also planned.“

As renovated homes become available in Woodlawn, residents residing in four-bedroom homes in the path of renovation will be offered a renovated home as their on-post relocation option.
“Residents of Woodlawn are being given priority status on all homes that become available within other villages,“ Watkins said. “Should the offer be declined, residents have the option to explore
housing off-post.“

Once residents receive the Notice-of-Intention packet, the first move will be paid for. This includes packing, moving and unpacking to an on-post or off-post location within 50 miles. Each resident is limited to one paid move during the renovation process according to Pinnacle.

“Relocation offers will be made on a first come, first serve basis. Notice of intention forms will be dated and time stamped as received, and home offers will be made in the order that forms were received,“ Watkins said.

Residents who are retiring or moving in less than six months from the final move-out date should contact the Woodlawn Community Management Office at 703-781-0566 to discuss individual circumstances.

“We are very willing to work with all families on an individual basis, we want this to be as smooth and successful as possible,“ Watkins said.

For move out, all utility disconnection penalties or new service connection fees are waived. During the Woodlawn Village renovation meeting on the 17th, many families asked if they would be responsible
for painting and replacing blinds.

“We wouldn’t expect you to repair blinds, or repaint in areas where renovation is coming through. Reasonable wear and tear is acceptable, and a representative of the Community Management Office will walk through the home with the resident before relocation to review and explain any necessary repairs” Watkins said.

For more information on renovations, stop by the Community Management Office or call 703-781-0566.

Editor’s note: Woodlawn Village’s renovation plans are getting underway just as the Fairfax County School Board is considering a proposal to transfer the neighborhood’s elementary school-age children from Fort Belvoir Elementary School to Woodlawn Elementary. The board is scheduled to vote on the proposal tonight. Fort Belvoir’s leadership, Clark Pinnacle, and Fairfax County school officials are
working to provide the best solution to families.

Fairfax County School Board votes on boundary change tonight

By Paul Bello

A proposed boundary change that would see elementary school students switch schools next fall is up for vote at tonight’s Fairfax County Public School Board meeting. 
Dan Stork, chairman of the school board, visited Fort Belvoir Thursday and met with concerned parents at Fort Belvoir Elementary School - the school they so desperately want their children to remain in next fall. As a representative of the Mount Vernon district, he assured residents that it’s far from a done deal.
If the change is enacted, most students living in Woodlawn Village would begin attending classes at nearby Woodlawn Elementary for the 2009-2010 school year.
A boundary study conducted in April indicated this will alleviate overcrowding at Fort Belvoir Elementary, which is shown to be over its capacity by about 200 students. The study also concluded that Woodlawn Elementary was the only school in the area capable of adding more students without any negative impact to its academic programs, Stork said.
“The current situation of overcrowding is not acceptable. While Army and school officials all agree that a new school is what’s best for the future, funding for that is a conundrum right now,“ Stork continued. “That’s why we have to examine what we can do in the short term. In the end, we have to make the best decision possible for our children.“
Stork admits it could mean approving the boundary change despite parents’ objections. He told parents he was leaning toward supporting the school’s recommendation simply because there weren’t many other options available. 
In a meeting Friday, Belvoir officials met with Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt and Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane to discuss whether space on Fort Belvoir might be available for classes as an alternative to the boundary change. 
Bill Sanders, director of Public Works, said evaluations were done on a handful of buildings around post to see if these facilities could be converted into an elementary school year-round.
This list includes the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency College, the Staff Judge Advocate Office, Markham School Age Services and Barden Education Center. According to Sanders, none are a practical option, primarily because military missions would have to be displaced. 
Barden, which FCPS officials believe is the most “school ready” of all the buildings, is dedicated to individual learning and would need immediate parking modifications, a school nurse and a playground, said Bill Parsons, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
“Sharing space is a logistical nightmare. That’s certainly something we wouldn’t want to do,“ Parsons added. “That leaves us with the only other option of displacing services, which is very problematic. The likelihood of having one of these buildings ready by next fall is also challenging and not something we’ve planned for financially.“
At Thursday’s meeting with parents, Stork said if the north gate at Woodlawn Village remained closed, which is currently the case, he would then stipulate to the county that transportation be provided for students.
This has been a point of contention since news of the possible boundary change was announced. An overwhelming majority of parents have spoken out against the idea of having their children walk to school, which FCPS states is a standard rule for anyone living a mile or less away.
“I live near the gate they’re talking about. It’s much further a walk than people think,“ said Patricia Woods, whose son will be starting kindergarten next year. “Walking is definitely a factor for a lot of people. We want our kids to be safe.“
Jamie Marshall, another Woodlawn resident and current PTA president, said there’s also a concern about upcoming housing renovations that are planned throughout the village. While homes in Woodlawn are renovated to four and five bedrooms, Marshall said residents will be asked to move once renovations reach their street.
Residents may move elsewhere on post, or may opt to move off-post. Pinnacle will cover moving expenses on post, as well as off-post up to 50 miles away. The first group of families must move out by Aug. 1.
According to Marshall, that announcement came rather suddenly and caught many residents off-guard. She said parents were also never told about a possible switch in schools until after they moved in.
“My family chose to live at Belvoir because of this school. Now, we’re finding out that’s not the case. We’re really upset and we’re not even allowed to get out of our leases,“ Marshall said. “We’re talking about military dependent children and they need to have stability. All this moving around is not good for anyone.“
Berhane told residents any family interested in a home at Woodlawn Village will now be apprised of the matter concerning the schools.
Stork, who wasn’t aware of the housing matter until the meeting, said he would ask for a deferral at tonight’s school board meeting unless questions about its impact on families can be answered by the time members had to vote.
“In order for any vote to happen, everything has to be clear to myself and my fellow board members,“ Stork said. Right now, I have no clue as to what this means and I need more information.“
Casey Nolan, of Clark Pinnacle Realty, LLC and Brian Smith, of Fort Belvoir’s Residential Communities Liaison Office, both said housing renovations at Woodlawn Village would be done in phases and that the goal is to not impact any student during the first year after the boundary change.
Nolan said the first phase consists of approximately 26 families being moved onto main post by Aug. 1. Children on main post will remain at Fort Belvoir Elementary School.
Phase two consists of approximately 82 families whose move out of Woodlawn Village would occur between September and March 2010. Fort Belvoir leadership has asked that these students remain in Fort Belvoir Elementary School since they will move to main post. 
Phase three, the largest group of families, will not move until after the 2009-2010 school year. Should the boundary change be adopted, they would attend Woodlawn Elementary beginning this year. They will remain enrolled there when it comes time for their moves, since, by then, they will be moved into a renovated home within Woodlawn Village.
The Fairfax County Public School Board meets at 7 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. The meeting is also televised on channel 21 for Cox Television subscribers. Results of the board’s vote will be posted on its Web site, http://www.fcps.edu. 

Government charge cards can now be used for moving expenses

Army News Service

Soldiers and Army civilian employees can now use their government travel charge card for relocation expenses when moving from one command to another.

New Army policy recently became effective allowing the government charge cards to be used for permanent-change-of-station moves.

“Cardholders will benefit because of the convenience” of using the cards for PCS moves, said John J. Argodale, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Financial Operations in his memorandum sent to Army commands along with implementing instructions for using the charge card for PCS moves.

The cards can be used for transportation, lodging, meals, temporary quarters, subsistence expenses and approved house-hunting expenses. - any reimbursable expense.

Frank Rago, Army Travel Charge Card Program manager, explained cardholders just can’t charge all of their expenses when driving across country. Stopping at an amusement park en route with the family, auto repairs and retail purchases are examples of non-reimbursable expenses where the card shouldn’t be used.

To educate people, Rago said, cardholders must check in with their agency program coordinator for a briefing and request their card be placed on a PCS status. Then, upon arrival at their new duty station, they must see the agency program coordinator so the account can be transferred to the new organization.

While the card is on PCS status, payment requirements are suspended. Payments will not be due until 30 days after the PCS period ends. Cardholders will not need to worry about delinquency or suspension of accounts during their PCS, Rago said.

In November, the government changed its travel card contract from Bank of America to Citibank.

More than 400,000 Soldiers and Army civilian employees now have government travel charge cards issued through Citibank.

During the last two years of the Bank of America contract, a program was actually in place for cardholders to use their cards for PCS moves, Rago said. But he admitted not many employees knew about the program.

“It was a voluntary program then, and it’s a voluntary program now,“ Rago said, adding that the card is recommended for use during PCS moves.

During the contract changeover, use of the card for PCS moves was suspended.

Under the new program, travel advances for participating PCS travelers will only be issued using the charge cards.

The $7,500 credit limit for standard cardholders can be increased by the Agency Program Coordinator in advance of the PCS move, if necessary, Rago said, to cover all reimbursable costs of the move.

The cards also cannot be used for accession or separation moves, such as PCS moves in conjunction with retirement.

Prayer luncheon celebrates Year of the NCO

By Andrew Sharbel
Staff writer

NCOs from all over Fort Belvoir joined government civilians and other community members for the post’s Year of the NCO Prayer Luncheon in the Mount Vernon Room of the Officers’ Club June 18.
Highlighting the event was guest speaker Sgt. Maj. Tommy Marrero, chief of chaplains and regimental sergeant major.

Marrero joined the Army in 1984; and, throughout his 25-year career, he has been stationed all over the world, including Camps Casey and Hovey, Korea; and Wurzburg, Germany. He has also completed a tour with the 1st Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq.

He earned a variety of awards and decorations over the course of this career, including the Bronze Star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, among many others.
During his speech, Marrero noted what being with Soldiers means to him.

“If I were given the choice of working at the Pentagon or being with Soldiers, I would want to be with Soldiers. So, it is great to be here,“ Marrero said.

Marrero then thanked the assembled NCOs for their dedication and service.

“I am really proud of these Soldiers, civilians and servicemembers currently serving,“ Marrero said. “I commend those of you who have joined our ranks since the tragedy of 9/11.
“I came into the Army in 1984, during a time of peace. So, I commend you for joining when you did, because it takes a lot of guts to join the fight,“ Marrero said.

“It’s a great day to be a Soldier, a great day to be an NCO, and a great year to celebrate the Year of the NCO,“ Marrero added.

At the conclusion of his speech, Marrero reminded the attendees that God is always looking out for us.

“Anytime you get into trouble, no matter what you face, you will always be protected,“ Marrero said. “Always remember that God is with us.“

Captain continues career 20 years after retiring

By Army Sgt. Amber Robinson
American Forces Press Service

The average Army career, if a Soldier chooses to make a life of the service, is a little more than 20 years. But for one jovial 62-year old Army captain, 20 years hardly seemed like enough.

Capt. Samuel Carlson, an intelligence officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Task Force Spartan, is on his second voluntary tour to Afghanistan. For a Soldier to volunteer to come to a combat zone twice is one thing; but to voluntarily deploy after being retired for more than 20 years is quite another.

Carlson came into the Army May 9, 1967, as an infantryman and later transitioned to intelligence operations. He served in various conflicts until he officially retired Oct. 1, 1987.
“I was an infantryman who could type,“ he said. “I was sent to work for the personnel sergeant major of my unit, but made the mistake of pronouncing his name wrong when I went to report for my new job.“

The sergeant major, apparently very sensitive about the pronunciation of his name, sent Carlson away to work for the intelligence officer, where he began to foster an interest in intelligence. His small mistake led to a long career in the intelligence field.

In 1991, Carlson volunteered to return and serve in Operation Desert Storm. Although his mission to Kuwait was canceled due to the fight’s short duration, he chose to stay on active status.
Carlson served with the Texas National Guard from 1992 to 1995, working as the executive officer of the 502nd Military Police Battalion out of Fort Worth, Texas. He commanded the unit after it reorganized until his second retirement. He volunteered to come into the service again after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. 

“That [ticked] me off,“ Carlson said. “I took that personally. I had family that worked in the World Trade Center, so that made it personal.“

Carlson served with the 308th Military Intelligence Battalion, 902nd Military Intelligence Group, on his first tour in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2006. He returned to the United States for a short period before serving with Task Force Spartan with the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan’s Logar province this time around.

Carlson’s love of the service is based on simple principles, he said, but it keeps him going.

“I missed Soldiers,“ Carlson said. “In the civilian world, it’s hard to find the same camaraderie, teamwork and sense of brotherhood that you find in the Army.“

Carlson’s conventional military career spanned the globe. He served in El Salvador, Honduras, Germany, South Korea, and a short stint in Vietnam.

Carlson’s call to duty was passed down through a legacy of Soldiers, starting with his grandfather, a Norwegian immigrant who joined the American military in World War I. Too old to attain the position
he desired, he lied and said he was younger, allowing him to receive his desired position.

“Grandad was not of military age when he came to America from Fredrikstad, Norway,“ Carlson said. “So, to join, he indicated he had been born in 1891, as opposed to his real birth date of 1889. He registered for the draft in 1917 and served in the Air Service, Signal Corps. He went to France for World War I in 1918, and was still on the front lines when the Armistice was signed on Nov. 11 [of that year].“

Carlson’s father joined the Army in 1937, received his commission in 1942 and fought in Normandy in 1944 during the invasion of France.

“Dad was on the northern edge of the bulge during the Battle of the Bulge,“ Carlson said. “He was also involved in the crossing of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, as well as the encirclement of the Ruhr industrial region.“

Carlson’s father left the Army as a first lieutenant in 1946, but, much like his son, missed the service and re-entered as an NCO a few months after his initial departure. He was recommissioned shortly thereafter, and took off to serve in the Korean War. He retired in 1963. Still harboring the desire to serve, his father now is a volunteer deputy sheriff in his community.
Not only have Carlson’s ancestors served faithfully, but his son and now his grandson have answered the call of their country.

“My son will soon come to Afghanistan to be the first sergeant for the Laghman provincial reconstruction team,“ Carlson said. “He is finishing up training at Camp Atterbury [Indiana].“

Carlson’s son will be in Afghanistan at the end of June, to serve in the same war at the same time as his father. Carlson said he is proud to be a part of the struggle in Afghanistan, as he hopes his son will be, as well.

“I can understand this war,“ Carlson said. “It makes sense to me. It’s well-thought out, as opposed [to] the other conflicts I have been a part of.“

Carlson said he hopes he will be able to see him while both are in Afghanistan. “It may be a little difficult, but I’d like to make it happen, if I can,“ he said.
To cap the long line of Carlsons serving in the military, the captain’s grandson, Army Sgt. David Carlson, is stationed in South Korea.

The Carlson tapestry of military service is tightly woven. Throughout the ages, the men of Carlson’s family have served in the armed forces.

“My Norwegian grandfather came overseas and joined the American Army, but my Swedish grandfather and forefathers also served in the Swedish military, which is mandatory there,“ Carlson said. “It was never anything planned, but, for as long as we can trace back, the men of our family have served.“

Carolson has been referred to as the “OCITA,“ or, “Oldest Captain in the Army.“ He smiles warmly at the jokes.

“I may be old, but the Soldiers I work with help me to feel much younger than my age,“ he said.

Carlson plans to retire for the third and final time when Task Force Spartan completes its deployment at the end of the year. He said he hopes to settle down and take some time to catch up with his family and engage in some of his favorite pastimes, such as playing music in his rock band.

“It’s been a long career, but I’d do it all again,“ he said.

DoD announces transferability options for Post 9/11 GI Bill

DoD press release

The Defense Department recently announced its policy to transfer educational benefits to servicemembers’ spouses and children under the “Post 9/11 GI Bill,“ which takes effect Aug. 1.

“This is as it should be in a volunteer force where families also serve,“ said Bill Carr, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy. “Transferability of GI Bill benefits is the most requested initiative we receive from our servicemembers, and we believe it will assist us in retaining highly qualified military personnel.“

Career servicemembers on active duty or in the selected reserve on Aug. 1, who are eligible for the “Post 9/11 GI Bill,“ may be entitled to transfer all or a portion of their education entitlement to one or more family members. To be eligible, servicemembers must have served in the Armed Forces for at least six years, and agree to serve four additional years, from the date of election to transfer. 
Servicemembers with at least 10 years of service, who by DoD or service policy are prevented from committing to four additional years, may transfer their benefits provided they commit for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute. 

Additionally, to maintain proper force structure and promotion opportunities, temporary rules have been developed for servicemembers eligible to retire between Aug. 1, 2009, and Aug. 1, 2012.  Depending on their retirement eligibility date, these servicemembers will commit to one to three additional years, from the date of election to transfer.

The services will provide further implementation guidance. Beginning Monday, eligible servicemembers may make transfer designations by visiting the Web site: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/ TEB.
Servicemembers may be eligible for the “Post 9/11 GI Bill” if they served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged.  Based on the length of
active-duty service, members are entitled to a percentage of the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning. Members not on active duty may also receive a monthly living stipend equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, and to an annual $1,000 stipend for books and
supplies.

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the “Post 9/11 GI Bill,“ and determines eligibility for education benefits. More information on eligibility, benefit levels and application procedures is available from the Web site, gibill.va.gov.

USNS Byrd crew readies for Pacific Partnership mission

By Lt. Jennifer Cragg
American Forces Press Service

A four-month humanitarian mission to the South Pacific led by the Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet begins this month as planned, despite a switch in ships, the mission commander said.

In a decision made to exercise an abundance of caution, officials chose to replace the Navy’s USS Dubuque with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd for the
Pacific Partnership 2009 mission after a small number of Sailors aboard Dubuque were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, Navy Capt. Andrew Cully said in a “DoDLive” bloggers roundtable recently.

“Dubuque was one of the first, and remains one of the few ships on the West Coast to report H1N1,“ Cully said.

Pacific Partnership will provide engineering support and medical, dental and veterinary care in Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.

Byrd was selected as a replacement platform because its capabilities fit the mission’s needs, Cully said. The switch required reducing the medical staff from 180 to 50, but the “reduced staff won’t affect
the mission,“ said Cully, who helped refocus the deployment plan to maximize its public health, dental, optometry and veterinary services.

“We’re excited that, even with the last-minute changes, we’ll still deliver what we promised to a lot of high-impact areas,“ he added.

When members of the international groups that help with the annual mission learned about the platform change, they offered to fly directly to the countries where Byrd will stop at ports.

“I’m very pleased that most of these organizations stayed with us and are intimately involved in the planning, as well as the execution, of this mission,“ Cully said.

The crew members aboard Byrd are eager to begin their mission, Cully said.

“Helping other nations in a deployment like this is one of the most professionally and personally rewarding career experiences for all of us,“ he said.

In addition to medical aid, Pacific Partnership will provide engineering support. Engineers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada will refurbish buildings such as schools and clinics and will execute water-catchment projects.

New Navy secretary named

By Darren Harrison
American Forces Press Service

Navy Secretary Raymond E. Mabus Jr. assumed office June 18, pledging that commitment to Sailors, Marines and their families will be the cornerstone of his service.

“The law requires me to ensure that the Department of the Navy is properly manned, trained and equipped, fully prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century,“ Mabus said. “I deeply believe this involves not just what our Sailors and Marines do for us, but what we do for them and for their families.“

Mabus made the remarks after Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates swore him in ceremonially at Admiral Leutze Park on the Washington Navy Yard. Earlier in the day, Vice President Joe Biden administered another ceremonial oath at the White House.

Senior government and military leaders and roughly 500 guests attended the Navy Yard ceremony. Additionally, 27 foreign ambassadors attended.

“We face great challenges, and we have great friends and allies,“ Mabus said. “To representatives of the international community … I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen ties that are already strong, and I know our collaboration will advance the interests of peace and a more just and stable world.“

President Barack Obama nominated Mabus, a former governor of Mississippi, to be the Navy’s civilian leader March 27. After his Senate confirmation, he was sworn in during a private ceremony May 19 so he “could be piped aboard immediately,“ he said.

During his speech, Mabus spoke of the Navy’s “noble and storied legacy,“ relating episodes in naval history from the capture of the HMS Margaretta in 1775 to the “bravery and skill of the Navy and Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan today.“

“There is a long, unbreakable line of heroism that stretches from there, back to the beginning,“ Mabus said. “The heroes of our country are the heroes of our own families. They come from us. They defend us. Wearing the uniform from 1775 until today, they are the shining fabric of America.“

He identified shipbuilding, aircraft production and meeting the needs of the Navy and Marines in an age of nonexpanding budgets as some of the challenges he faces.

Mabus served in the Navy from 1970 to 1972 as a surface warfare officer aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock. Before his active-duty service, he had been a member of the Naval ROTC as an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi.

“I am proud of that first tour of duty on a cruiser, and proud beyond words to finally come home to the Department of the Navy,“ Mabus said. “Early on, I saw the sacrifices that our servicemembers make every day to defend and secure our country.“

Mabus graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in English and earned a master’s degree in political science from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

The secretary served as governor of Mississippi from 1988 to 1992 and as ambassador to Saudi Arabia for two years during former President Bill Clinton’s administration.

Belvoir, Army honor late Materiel and Readiness commander Guthrie

Installation flags to fly half-staff Tuesday

Fort Belvoir and all stateside Army installations will fly the U.S. flag at half-staff June 30 to honor the former commander of the Army Materiel and Readiness Command who died May 25 in Washington. He was 87.

Retired Gen. John R. Guthrie served as the four-star commander of AMRC from 1977 to 1981. The organization was renamed the Army Materiel Command in 1984.

Guthrie was commissioned through the Princeton University Army ROTC program in 1942 and served as an assistant military attaché in London during World War II. A field artillery officer, Guthrie subsequently served in the Korean War, and during the mid-1950s served as the staff project officer for the launching of the nation’s first Earth satellite.

Guthrie returned in the mid-1960s to Korea, where he was assistant commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, and in the mid-1970s became commander of X Corps and U.S. Army Japan.
He was married to Rebecca Jeffers Guthrie, who died in 2005.

Funeral services are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday at Belvoir’s Memorial Chapel