# McNamara Headquarters Complex celebrates the holiday season

/ Published Dec. 14, 2023
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Employees filled the halls and gathered along the rails at the McNamara Headquarters Complex for the annual tree lighting ceremony Dec. 12.

Defense Logistics Agency Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic co-hosted the event with DLA Senior Enlisted Leader Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Alvin Dyer, Defense Technical Information Center Administrator Christopher Thomas and Defense Contract Audit Agency Director Terri Dilly.

For her last tree lighting as DLA’s director, Skubic took an “unconventional approach” and gave remarks in the form of a poem based on the Christmas classic, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.”                 McNamara Headquarters Complex employees gathered in the building’s main lobby and around the railings during the site’s annual holiday tree lighting, held Dec. 12, 2023. Photo by Chris Lynch.                            McNamara Headquarters Complex celebrates the holiday season                            McNamara Headquarters Complex employees gathered in the building’s main lobby and around the railings during the site’s annual holiday tree lighting, held Dec. 12, 2023. Photo by Chris Lynch.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Chris Lynch DLA PhotographerVIRIN: 231212-D-HE260-1009

“Warfighters are serving – so let’s not forget/For all they provide, we owe them our debt,” she said.

Dyer is celebrating his first holiday season at the headquarters complex this year.

“I want to say thank you for choosing to serve your country at a time when it needs you the most. We're all busy. There's a lot going on in the world, and I appreciate you. I couldn't think of a better team to serve with, serve for and serve beside,” Dyer said. 

Dilly said that watching last weekend’s Army-Navy football game reminded her of the combined strength of the Defense Department.

“On that football field, they were two different teams fighting against each other, competing for the win. But after that game’s over, those teams are going to become one team,” she said. “It’s similar to the folks in this building. We are all part of one team. We are all part of what makes DOD great.”

The DLA Public Affairs and DLA Legislative Affairs offices were named the winner of this year’s door decorating contest, with a tropical island take on the theme of “The Most Beautiful Time of the Year.” Second place went to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Human Resources Office, and third place went to DLA Logistics Operations.

Four employees from DLA Energy participated in the ugly holiday sweater contest. The first-place winner was Laurie Carlson, deputy director for DLA Energy Utility Services; second place went to LorieAnne Kliewer, a DLA Energy contract specialist; third place went to Breana Wilson, a DLA Energy contract specialist; and fourth place went to Heather Seibold, a DLA Energy contracting officer.                 Four employees from DLA Energy participated in the annual ugly holiday sweater contest, held Dec. 12, 2023, during the McNamara Headquarters Complex annual holiday tree lighting. Pictured are fourth place winner Heather Seibold, left, third place winner Breana Wilson, second place winner LorieAnne Kliewer and first place winner Laurie Carlson. Photo by Chris Lynch.                            McNamara Headquarters Complex celebrates the holiday season                            Four employees from DLA Energy participated in the annual ugly holiday sweater contest, held Dec. 12, 2023, during the McNamara Headquarters Complex annual holiday tree lighting. Pictured are fourth place winner Heather Seibold, left, third place winner Breana Wilson, second place winner LorieAnne Kliewer and first place winner Laurie Carlson. Photo by Chris Lynch.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Chris Lynch DLA PhotographerVIRIN: 231212-D-HE260-1005