Burke Connection

For a few minutes on Tuesday Night, the only sound on Veteran’s Bridge in downtown Springfield was the rhythmic drum roll and piercing call of the fife as the Ft. Belvoir Fife and Drum Corps led a contingent of soldiers, civic leaders and community participants across the bridge in the 11th annual Springfield BridgeWalk.

"To me this walk symbolizes the renewal of the relationship we have with the Springfield community," said Col. Gregory Gadson, who became the new garrison commander of Fort Belvoir in June, which houses 46,000 soldiers, civilians and their families.

IN 2007, while serving in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Gadson lost both of his legs when he was injured by a car bomb. He also served during Operation Desert Storm, as well as in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Before becoming the leader of Fort Belvoir, Gadson served as the director of the Army's Wounded Warrior Program. "My faith, my family and my friends got me through this. My faith has allowed me to expect things I can’t explain," Gadson said.

Gadson, a 20-year Army veteran who has been awarded three Bronze Star medals and a Purple Heart, joined Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee) and other community leaders in signing the Army Community Covenant, which affirms the community’s support for the Armed Forces.

McKay, who hosts the annual Lee District event, read the covenant to the crowd of about 150 people gathered on the grounds of Springfield’s American Legion Post 176 after the ceremony:

"We the community, recognize...

*The commitment soldiers and their families are making every day.

*The strength of soldiers comes from the strength of their families.

*The strength of families is supported by the strength of the community.

*The strength of the community comes from the support of employers, educators, civic and business leaders and its citizens."

"The evening’s bridge walk is especially significant to all of us because we are honoring our good friends from Fort Belvoir by renewing the Army Community Covenant," McKay said.

"We grew up together, and it’s a special relationship the community has with Fort Belvoir," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large).

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R- Springfield) told the crowd that the significance of the event "hit home" for him after attending the funeral earlier in the day of United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Jeschke of Herndon.

"It’s especially meaningful for me to be here tonight to renew this covenant and honor the sacrifice and commitment of our young men and women who serve every day in our military," Herrity said.

Other dignitaries who made brief remarks included U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8), Sen. George Barker (D-39), Del. Vivian Watts (D-39), and Fairfax County School Board Representative Tammy Kaufax.

THE EVENT included patriotic music from the Kings Park Concert Band, light refreshments and door prizes. But the focus of the evening was clearly on Gadson, who received cheers and handshakes from hundreds of community leaders and residents.

Nicole Carrello, a sixth-grader at Crestwood Elementary School, attended the event with her parents and grandparents. She said her uncle served in Iraq.

Her father, Santiago Carrello, said he attended the event to show his "support for our troops."

"It’s important to support soldiers like Col. Gadson," Carrello said. "Look what he sacrificed for us."

"It’s an honor for me to be here and talk to people in the community," Gadson said. "It’s wonderful to feel the community’s support, because that means everything to the men and women in uniform who are fighting."