Eagle BELVOIR
Belvoir Bulldogs return to the field Page A8
www.belvoireagleonline.com
October 20, 2016
Friendship inspires domestic violence speaker By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Ten years ago, the inspiration board Ann Podaras created would play a major role in her life. She just didn’t know it then. Monday, at Fort Belvoir’s Army Community Service, she displayed the inspiration board proudly. On it was all of her ideals for where she wanted to be, including living in a house by the water, becoming a published author, and being married with children. For many years, part of Podaras’ focus was to accomplish her career goals. Her parents were the first to go to college in her family and went on to be teachers for 30 years. When she came of age, it was her turn to surpass them. She wanted to get her master’s degree and find a suitable job. But, it wasn’t easy. Podaras, originally from Thailand, had limited Englishspeaking abilities. She said her first job, after earning a bachelor’s degree, was frustrating and difficult because of it. Eventually, she landed a job as an au pair in the U.S. and she was able to improve her English, yet still had difficulties finding a well-paying job. After a series of ups and downs, she created the inspiration board. Married and on maternity leave with her second child, she chose that time to go through some old boxes. There, she found the board and wanted to share her accomplishments with her friend, Naomi Howell. Unfortunately, Howell was a victim of a murder-suicide earlier this year and Podaras was never able to tell her friend of her successes or that she was integral to where Podaras is today. “I had no idea this high school sweetheart was in trouble,” she said about Howell. “I could not change what happened, but I can do better,” Podaras said. Podaras had succeeded Howell in one job, and the two had trained and worked together at the Washington Navy Yard. Podaras said she regretted she wasn’t able to prevent her friend’s death, especially since Howell had helped her during a low point in her own life. Podaras has gone on to become Mrs. Petworth D.C.
Pence Gate re-opening early Belvoir officials expect to open Pence Gate at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. As of press time, other gate hours are being determined. Check Fort Belvoir on Facebook or www.belvoir. army.mil for the most up-todate gate hour information.
Up Front Tech Plus Expo
The Belvoir Officers’ Club, Schulz Circle, is the site for a Technology Plus Expo, today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. FMI, 703-344-8771. RSVP, LRinaldo@cox.net. Photo by Paul Lara
Ann Podaras, the keynote speaker at Army Community Service's Chat & Chew, speaks about the issues of domestic violence at the ACS lunch event. America 2017. In that role, Howell’s death has influenced Podaras’ platform, which is to help military mothers and speak about domestic violence awareness and prevention and communication. Podaras said her experience with Howell’s death taught her how important it is to talk to one another. “Please talk and share. You never know who’s next to you,” Podaras said. If you need help, FAP is the first place to turn to, said Shadae Stringfield, Family Advocacy Program specialist. “It’s good to always be mindful of what’s going on around you,” Stringfield said, adding that looking for signs of a person acting outside of their norm could point to an issue, be it depression or relationship troubles. “Just checking in is definitely essential,” Stringfield said. FAP has a 24-hour hotline that people can call, if they need help, 703-229-2374. People can also call family advocacy, 703-805-2693; or ACS front desk, 703-805-4590.
Celebration Hispanic Heritage
Photo by Paul Lara
Marachi Los Mensajeros Del Sur was one of the highlights at Hispanic Heritage Month at the Community Center Oct. 13. The event featured music by Mariachi Los Mensajeros Del Sur and a cultural performance by Grupo Folklorico de Panama from Washington, D.C. See full story, Page A10.
Toyland grand opening
Toyland at the Belvoir Exchange opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Spouse welcome
ACS invites spouses of all military — active duty, Guard, Reservists — and civilians who are new to the installation and want to learn about the community, to a Spouse Welcome Orientation. The orientation provides information from community partners, such as the commissary; civilian personnel; Fort Belvoir Community Hospital; CYSS and more. The next spouse orientation is Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at ACS, 9800 Belvoir Road, Bldg. 200. FMI, ACS, 703-805-3436.
Combined Federal Campaign
The annual Combined Federal Campaign, CFC, is open through Dec. 15. Unit keyworkers have forms and necessary unit reporting numbers. However, donations can be made via MyPay and through www.cfcnca.org, which saves paper and costs, ultimately giving more money to chosen charity/ies. Garrison employees, so far, have donated almost $7,800, 39 percent of this year’s goal of $20,000. The Army’s goal is $1.3 million.