Eagle BELVOIR
New uniforms make first appearance page B1
www.belvoireagleonline.com
May 30, 2019
Sacrifice, courage, legacy honored at Garrison Memorial observance By Margaret Steele Copy Editor
fice for our country has earned them, and their families, our lasting appreciation and endless respect.” Greenberg introduced the guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Joseph Berger III, commander of the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency and chief judge for the Army’s Court of Criminal Appeals. USALSA is a mission partner on Belvoir.
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he Fort Belvoir community gathered last week to honor the nation’s fallen Service members, at a Memorial Day observance on Long Parade Field. Col. Michael Greenberg, Fort Belvoir Garrison commander, spoke, quoting President Franklin Roosevelt, “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy, forget in time, that men have died to win them.” Greenberg added he was thinking of his many friends, colleagues and co-workers he’s lost since being a Soldier. “Since 9/11, more than 6,700 American Service members have died in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Because of this, Memorial Day is so important, not only to the military community, but to the nation, as a whole,” Greenberg said. “For as long as the United States has existed, American Service mem-
History of selfless sacrifice
Photo by Tracy Woodward
Brig. Gen. Joseph Berger III, commander, U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, and Col. Michael Greenberg, Fort Belvoir Garrison commander, salute during taps play by Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Gebo during the Memorial Day observance at Long Parade Field. bers have fought bravely, when commander said. “The willingness of called upon by their country,” the America’s Service members to sacri-
“Prior to being hanged by the British, during our nation’s fight for its independence, Nathan Hale is said to have famously uttered the phrase, ‘I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.’ History may debate the accuracy of the quote, but the 189 streamers on our Army’s flag serve as an unquestionable testament to the enduring nature of the patriotism and valor of the American
See Memorial, page A7
Invincible Spirit Festival thanks Soldiers, families Surviving the storm with food, music and dance By Paul Lara Special to the Eagle
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f it wasn’t one thing, it was another. A series of events kept challenging the organizers of this year’s Invincible Spirit Festival on Fort Belvoir’s Pullen Field. The first date was canceled after Gary Sinise was unable to travel, so event sponsors, The Sinise Foundation and USO Metro, scrambled to find another date. May 23 was chosen, and then Chef Robert Irvine was
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101 Days of Summer
unable to attend with his team, but everyone pushed on. Then, just an hour before the event - a severe thunderstorm blew across Fort Belvoir, soaking everything and making the bounce houses too wet for use. “It was like hanging on by your fingernails,” said Elaine Rogers, president and CEO of USO-Metro, one the principal sponsors of the festival, which occurs every other year on post. “We watched the storm clouds coming in, thinking, ‘this is just going to be awful,’” she said. The storms passed without much damage, beyond a soaking, and the soaring temperatures dropped
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National Day of Prayer
nearly 20 degrees in the storm’s wake.
Supporting the troops Rogers said she has a special connection with Gary Sinise. “I’ve had the honor of knowing Gary for 20-some years, and working with him is a true honor, because he really is the real deal,” she said. “To be able to help sponsor events like this is what the USO is all about. Gary started his band career with the USO, as we sent him overseas. So he’s been performing with the USO
See Festival, page A6
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Museum Needs Volunteers
Photo by Paul Lara
The Chicago-based band, Stolen Silver, performs at the Invincible Spirit Festival on Pullen Field, May 23. A10
Commissary