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# McNamara Headquarters Complex employees celebrate holiday traditions

By Dianne RyderDLA Public Affairs

                Fort Belvoir, Virginia  –              
Though the temperature outside was chilly, McNamara Headquarters Complex employees brought holiday warmth to several events at the complex including the traditional tree lighting ceremony Dec 5.

Heads of the HQC tenant organizations helped Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Darrell Williams bolster holiday spirit as he led the crowd in a chorus of “Jingle Bells” before addressing members of the workforce who manned the rails and filled the building’s main lobby.

Williams thanked the HQC leaders, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff and the DLA chaplain, as well as the planning committee, sponsors, the Hayfield High School Chorale and preschoolers from the HQC Child Development Center for their part in the event. He also acknowledged enduring contributions of visiting veterans from the local Armed Forces Retirement Home.

The director expressed appreciation for what all employees do daily for the tenant organizations and for the nation. He urged everyone to appreciate their loved ones and honor the nation’s military and civilian members, especially those who are deployed and unable to return home during the holidays.

Just before the tree lighting ceremony, DLA hosted its third agencywide open house event to encourage camaraderie among DLA family members, as Williams called them in his opening remarks. He urged DLA employees to continue to get to know each other and engage in face-to-face interactions rather than through emails.

Employees received “Holiday at the Fair” tickets to be stamped by DLA headquarters front offices as they mingled and shared refreshments. Festivities included a seasonal glee club sing-along and other musical performances as well as several competitions. Adding to the sartorial competitions, “Craziest Dressed Sports Fanatics” joined contenders for the traditional “Ugly Sweater” and “Most Festively Dressed” contests.

Ugly Sweater:  
                              - 1st Place Winner - Lynnia Bethea, DLA Intelligence  
                              - 2nd Place Winner - Bryan Grappe, DLA Installation Support  
                              - 3rd Place Winner - Susan Dawson, DLA Installation Support

Most Festively Dressed:  
                              - 1st Place Winner - Deborah Reeves, DLA Information Operations
                              - 2nd Place Winner - Nicole Angerstein, DLA Installation Support
                              - 3rd Place Winner - Gilda Best, DLA Human Resources

Craziest Dressed Sport Fanatic:
                              - 1st Place Winner - Junior Cho, DLA Installation Support
                              - 2nd Place Winner - Aleeta Coleman, DLA Director’s Business Management Office
                              - 3rd Place Winner - Juan Aldape, DLA Director’s Staff

New this year was a “Gingerbread Sensation” contest. Winners of the competition included DLA Installation Management, who placed first for their sweet recreation of Nationals Park, and the DLA Safety Office, who placed second for their gingerbread train station.

Other contest winners received their awards during the tree lighting ceremony. DLA MWR Health and Fitness Program Manager Beverly Hicks announced the first-, second- and third-place winners of the HQC’s annual door decorating contest. She thanked the judges who took the time to view more than 28 doors decorated throughout the complex and the agency’s Lorton, Virginia, facility.
                              - 1st place winner - Defense Technical Information Center, Suite 1948
                              - 2nd place winner - Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Suite 4637
                              - 3rd place winner - Defense Contract Audit Agency, Suite 2328

Proud parents waved and snapped cell phone photos as Child Development Center teachers led the children in three musical selections. Hicks then asked everyone to sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to welcome a special guest and she led them in song, Santa Claus and his elves descended the stairs into the atrium to distribute gifts to excited preschoolers.

After the ceremony, Williams encouraged employees to take part in a holiday social in the HQC cafeteria, complete with refreshments and entertainment.

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HQC tree lighting ceremonyDLA Holiday Open HouseHQC Child Development CenterDTRADTICDCAAdoor decorating contestArmed Forces Retirement Home