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The 2025 Franconia-Springfield Bridge Walk reflects the broader inclusion of neighboring communities and partners who share in this long-standing commitment. The walk concluded at American Legion Post 176, where leaders renewed the U.S. Army’s Community Covenant, first signed in 2009, to reaffirm the promise of continued partnership.

Fort Belvoir has sharpened its hiring process far beyond waiting for applicant resumes to arrive in USA JOBS, and has moved beyond the gate to offer resources to eager applicants in town, which has boosted the number of childcare providers enough to open two additional Child Development Centers.

David H. Dentino, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships assumed his role in the spring of 2024, and on July 18, paid his first visit to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to discuss housing, partnerships and what the Army is doing to elevate the quality of life for Families.

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.

Jerry Arrington, Fort Belvoir’s Youth Sports Director, has quietly built a nearly 30-year legacy rooted in mentorship, inclusion, and giving military children a place to grow. With a warm smile and unwavering conviction, he has shaped lives far beyond wins and losses with the conviction that "it's all about the kids."