Fort Belvoir celebrates Oktoberfest

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Oktoberfest celebrants at Fort Belvoir on Sept. 30, 2022

For the first time since 2019, Fort Belvoir’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation held its signature event, the 24th annual Oktoberfest, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

At a special celebration of the German-American Military Forces partnership on Sept. 30, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Joe Messina welcomed representatives from the German Armed Forces Command and Fort Belvoir’s mission partners, including Gold Star family members, senior Army leaders, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity and several former garrison commanders.

Former Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Michael Greenberg (l.) chats with Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity (r.) at Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest.

The Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest is the largest social and community event hosted at the garrison each year, said Messina, noting that its planning is a year-long process involving hundreds of staff, partners and vendors.

The event is particularly meaningful for Soldiers who served in Germany and celebrated Oktoberfest there with German neighbors and friends, said Messina.

“That’s why it’s always marked on the calendar and looked forward to with great excitement — especially this year as we had to cancel the past two years during COVID,” said Messina. “It’s great to have you all back.”

Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Joe Messina welcomes community members to the 24th annual Oktoberfest.

Col. Michael Greenberg, who served as Fort Belvoir garrison commander from 2018 to 2020, was one of the familiar faces at the event. 

"This is what it's all about — community," said Greenberg. "I love it here."

Following remarks from Col. Joerg Dronia, commander of the German Armed Forces Command, several service members tapped the kegs, and celebrants enjoyed German food and drink while being entertained by the German Armed Forces Band and local German-American dance groups and bands.

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