FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
For the first time after almost five years, the Defense Logistics Agency hosted Family Day at the McNamara Headquarters building June 25. The theme for this year was “HQC - It’s A Family Reunion!”
Host DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the families in attendance, and for the opportunity to once again return to the annual ritual.
“It’s so great to return to the tradition that we’ve been doing since 1998. It’s also great to see so many children and other family members here today at the headquarters complex,” Simerly said.
“To the children and visiting family members, I want to thank you for your support. You’re the reason why many of us come to work every day, to ensure you have a safe and secure future,” Simerly added.
Attendees competed in a 5K run and walk, cornhole, tug-of-war and basketball, receiving recognition and awards from Simerly.
“I’ve done runs with my older children, but this was the first run I did with my youngest daughter,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Calderon, an executive chauffer at DLA Headquarters. “The opportunity to coach her and watch her progress along the way, and finish as a family was very rewarding.”
Event coordinators noted the intent behind this year’s Family Day was to celebrate the agency’s commitment to cultivating a culture of togetherness. Throughout the day, employees from DLA and other collocated agencies took in a variety of food trucks and other outdoor and indoor activities with their families.
“Because we have not done this in the last five years and are still not back to full capacity in the building, I was honestly pleasantly surprised at the amount of people that showed up,” said Gregory Cummings, DLA Morale, Welfare and Recreation program manager and this year’s Family Day coordinator.
For Cummings, this was the very last time he would coordinate such an event after more than 20 years of involvement as the agency’s MWR program manager. Simerly thanked Cummings for his more than 40 years of combined dedicated military and civilian service to the nation and the agency.
“This being my last Family Day event that I coordinated; it was bittersweet. This is more than just an agency, it’s a family,” Cummings said. “While I’m looking forward to retirement, it was great to see the kids of my fellow co-workers here at DLA all grown up. Many of them are working for DLA now. What an opportunity to see it all come full circle.”
“Mr. Cummings epitomizes commitment to service. While he could’ve focused on retirement and moving onto his next life chapter, he worked diligently 10-plus hours a day ensuring the event was both a success and pleasurable experience for all who attended,” said Asante Kufuor from DLA Installation Management.
“Being around someone with that type of work ethic is inspiring, and this whole planning and coordinating experience was humbling. Mr. Cummings’ mentorship and friendship is something I will cherish, and he will be missed,” Kufuor added.