VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
Virginia Department of Military Affairs employees attended the 2023 DMA Fall Festival Sept. 22, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to the catered lunch, Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, the Adjutant General of Virginia, retired Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, the DMA Chief Operations Officer, and Col. James C. Shaver, Fort Barfoot garrison commander, thanked the group for their hard work and dedication and presented awards to a number of SMR employees.
“We always look for ways to say thanks to our staff, and to ensure that they know we appreciate what they do for the DMA team,” Mercer explained. “This luncheon and gathering is simply that- a time to say thanks, present some awards, and give staff some time together in fellowship.”
The Virginia Department of Military Affairs is the state agency that provides leadership and administrative support to the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force. DMA plans, coordinates, maintains situational awareness and employs VaARNG, VaANG and VDF forces for homeland security and homeland defense in order to respond to any incidents within the commonwealth.
“It is important that we as the Virginia National Guard community and Virginia Department of Military Affairs take these administrative pauses to allow us to thank each and every single one of you for what you do on behalf of the commonwealth, on behalf of the commonwealth programs and on behalf of the missions that we do,” Ring said. “Whether you are part of the SMR installation support, within programs such as ChalleNGe or doing other missions within DMA, I want you to hear directly from me the jobs you do are extremely important to our mission.”
“There are a lot of changes going on around here and a lot of changes coming and I appreciate all your hard work,” Shaver told them. “We really do appreciate all you do and I’m going to ask everyone here to take specific pride when you come on the gate of this installation. Everyone should take ownership of SMR. This is your place. If you have any recommendations, let us know.”
The following employees received awards for five years of service-
- Daniel Breslin
- Hayward Cuffee
- Adina Disney
- Russell Greggs
- Susan Rogers
- Mark Sullivan
Donald Garcia received an award for 15 years of service. In addition, Shaver presented coins to Garcia and Ronald Cason for their outstanding support on the roads and grounds crew this past summer.
Rebecca Moses received an impact award for her exemplary performance as the DMA Safety and Occupational Health Manager.
DMA support staff personnel were also recognized with certificates and received AG coins from Ring-
- Bernadette Carter
- Tabitha Detreville
- Tameka Hines
- Melissa, Marquardt
- Pamela Mullen-Parker
“Each and every single one of you are greatly valued for the contributions you bring to this organization,” Ring added. “We’re fortunate as the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Department of Military Affairs that we are busy. That means we’re doing things for the Commonwealth and our collective Department of Defense community.”