As the live DJ spun throwback hits, a lively Soul Train line broke out with ACS employees and guests showing off their moves in retro attire at the ACS 60th anniversary celebration Friday.
60 Years of Service: Fort Belvoir Honors ACS Legacy of Supporting Soldiers and Families
FORT BELVOIR, Virginia – On Friday, July 25, Fort Belvoir’s Army Community Service celebrated a remarkable milestone – 60 years of unwavering support to Soldiers and their Families. The event honored ACS’s legacy of empowering the Army’s most vital asset: its people.
With the theme “Remember the Times,” the anniversary bash invited guests to wear nostalgic attire from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Dozens of Soldiers, military Spouses, and children came dressed to impress, enjoying an evening of family-friendly fun, including bounce houses, face painting, sensory activities, and a lively costume contest. The celebration also featured a barbecue meal, live DJ, and even a firetruck display from the Fort Belvoir Fire Department, delighting younger guests with fire hats and hands-on tours.
Leaders cut the cake in celebration of Army Community Service's 60th birthday Friday. Pictured from left to right: Chief of Fort Belvoir ACS, Tammye Braddy; Command Sgt. Maj. Reginald Smith, Headquarters Battalion Sergeant Major; Col. David Stewart, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander; George Dixon, Director of DFMWR; and Yolanda Hingle, ACS Director at Fort Myer-Henderson Hall.
The event was not just about festivities—it was a tribute to ACS’s six decades of supporting warfighters by building resilient families and communities. Col. David Stewart, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Reginald Smith, Headquarters Battalion Command Sergeant Major, and Mr. George Dickson, Director Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation greeted attendees, highlighting the deep appreciation for ACS’s contributions to mission readiness.
“It means that we’ve been able to provide services to our community for over 60 years!” said Tammye Braddy, Chief of Fort Belvoir ACS. “We’re just grateful that the community has allowed us to serve them. We work in partnership to ensure Soldiers and Families are taken care of – not just here at Belvoir, but throughout the National Capital Region.”
Planning for this celebration began the day after ACS’s 59th birthday, said Kendall Moeller, Site Coordinator for the Family Advocacy Program and event chair.
“We wanted to reflect on the legacy of leaders who built ACS from the ground up,” said Moeller. “We created a photo gallery to honor those trailblazers. This event is about community, history, and unity – and ensuring Families know the support available to them.”
A former military spouse, Moeller knows firsthand how ACS’s services reduce the stressors that can distract a Soldier from their mission.
“Being in the military community made me see what kind of support is essential,” she explained. “Now I get to use my experience to ensure other Families get what they need – resources, connection, and care.”
Moeller helps lead a range of programs through the Family Advocacy Program, from abuse prevention to family safety education. ACS’s proactive approach to wellness is rooted in prevention – hosting play mornings, back-to-school nights, and special events that build community bonds and reduce isolation.
“Fort Belvoir is truly top tier,” said Moeller. “They identify gaps in support and fill them. It’s not just about briefings and workshops – sometimes, it’s simply giving Families time to relax and connect with others. That social support can make all the difference.”
Over the years, ACS has expanded to meet the evolving needs of military life. One major area of growth has been in supporting new parents. Through programs like Baby Boot Camp, home visits, and the popular annual “Baby Palooza,” ACS ensures military Families are equipped, educated, and emotionally supported as they grow.
In 2023, Fort Belvoir ACS made history by launching the Army’s first-ever food pantry, providing critical staples like bread, milk, eggs, and chicken to Families across the NCR. This initiative complements weekly mobile markets, Thanksgiving food drives, and holiday giveaways.
“We know financial strain affects everything,” said Moeller. “We go beyond just giving food – we offer financial counseling, WIC Services, and no-interest loans and grant assistance through Army Emergency Relief. The goal isn’t just to get through the week – it’s to get on solid ground.”
ACS also supports Spouses and transitioning Soldiers through employment services, including resume writing workshops, job fairs, and career counseling – ensuring that Soldiers can focus on the mission, knowing their Families are thriving. Therefore, supporting Families is not just a nice thing – it’s a readiness multiplier.
“Less stress means fewer distractions for our warfighters,” said Moeller. “It means lower rates of substance abuse and domestic violence.”
As the evening wrapped up, children with painted faces clutched ice cream and crafts they made, while parents walked away with resources and renewed confidence. It was more than a party – it was a reminder of ACS’s vital mission to strengthen Soldiers by strengthening the homefront.
“We’re thrilled to have the community here with us,” said Braddy. “Thank you to Fort Belvoir for supporting us – and to the command team for standing behind us 110%. Here’s to the next 60 years of putting military Families first.”
Carmen Fleischmann, Fort Belvoir Public Affairs