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Local chamber of commerce recognizes Belvoir personnel By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer First responders from the local community were recognized for their services Friday, during a Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce award ceremony. At the event in Springfield, Belvoir police officers and firefighters were recognized alongside personnel from police and fire stations from Mount Vernon, Franconia and Fairfax County. “Our first responders are such an important part of the community and we want to recognize the service they give and their families give,” said Holly Dougherty, executive director of Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. The awards ceremony lets the public see the contributions first responders make in the community, she said. The ceremony started nine years ago when police offers asked the chamber if an event could form, Dougherty said. “Over the years, it’s been a collaborative event,” she said, adding that Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce was happy to be part of such an important event. The award winners are chosen by their respective departments based on each individual’s contributions over the year. “We do different events over the year, but this is our favorite. It’s just wonderful to see these men and women and hear the stories of their remarkable service,” she said. Below are award recipients from Fort Belvoir’s fire department.
Fort Belvoir Fire Department • Philip J. Neith Belvoir Firefighter of the Year Firefighter Philip Neith, known as “PJ,” started his fire service career in January 1998 in the U.S. Air Force, as a firefighter and changed to the Air Force Reserve in 2006, which he holds the rank of senior master sergeant. Neith has been a firefighter at Belvoir since 2008 and is assigned to Fire Station 466 at Davison Army Airfield. Neith constantly seeks the improvement of service delivery, safety and department health and
November 23, 2016
Thanksgiving gate hours
Thanksgiving Day, Telegraph, Walker and Pence gates are closed. J.J. Kingman Gate is open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing two hours early); and Tulley Gate is open 24/7. Friday, Telegraph and Walker gates are closed. Kingman is open extended hours for Black Friday, 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. (opening two hours early). Tulley and Pence gates will operate normal hours. The rest of the weekend, gates will operate under normal hours of Tulley open 24/7; Kingman open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Pence open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Up Front Legal office closures
Philip J. Neith Belvoir Firefighter of the Year welfare. He is a member of numerous committees, but, most notably, leads Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services transition to the Army’s newest enterprise records management program. Neith also recently initiated the accreditation process for Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services. As a peer fitness trainer, he coordinates physical fitness training to improve fitness and personal health of the department’s personnel. Firefighter Neith’s dedication to preparing the organization for the future ensures the department will continue to only provide the highest level of service possible. • Mike Estes Firefighter medic Firefighter Medic Mike Estes enlisted in the Army in 1999 as an EOD technician and deployed to Iraq to search for and disarm enemy munitions. In 2006, Estes transitioned into the civil service as a chemical inspector and CBRNE operations specialist with Belvoir Garrison. He began his career with the Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services in 2009 and is assigned to Fire Station 464, Belvoir North Fire Station near Springfield. Mike worked his way through Medic school, and now uses those skills to teach and mentor others. His vast knowledge of CBRNE
Mike Estes Firefighter Medic has helped the FES improve and grow their hazardous materials program to the operations level. Estes constantly works on apparatus and equipment, ensuring it is in the highest state of readiness possible. • Stephen McDoniel Company Officer of the Year Chief Stephen McDoniel is in his 20th year as a federal firefighter, having started his fire service career in April 1986 as a volunteer in Prince William County at the Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department and transferring to Belvoir in September 1997. He has worked through various ranks and was promoted to his current position in August 2014 as an operations division battalion chief. McDoniel is a strong leader who has earned respect and admiration. He has served as an integral part of a team for the new South Post Fire and Emergency Services Station. As part of the project working group, he worked closely with the Army Corps of Engineers reviewing the plans, evaluating prospective contractors and quality assurance of the contractor’s workmanship, through the project’s completion. McDoniel consistently strives to improve his performance and help other team members succeed, as well. Editor’s note: See next week’s Belvoir Eagle to read about honorees from Belvoir’s Police Department.
The Belvoir Legal Assistance Office is closed Wednesday, Thanksgiving and Friday, and reopens at 8 a.m. Monday. The office is also closed Nov. 30 and reopens at 8 a.m. Dec. 1.
Show some love! CFC
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’s goal is $20,000 and the Army’s goal is $1.3 million.
Save-the-dates
Thanksgiving at the O club, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. seating times, pre-paid reservations needed, 703-780-0930, open to everyone. Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Belvoir Chapel. Holiday Expo, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission. Accepting vendor apps now. Belvoir. armymwr.com or 703-805-8472. Brunch with Santa, O Club, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; pictures with Santa, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Open to everyone and pre-paid reservations are needed, 703-780-0930.