Food, Fellowship on menu at Patriot Picnic

RICHMOND, Va. –

Teams from Defense Supply Center Richmond’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Civilian Welfare Fund council hosted their annual Patriotic Picnic July 23 for all civilian employees on the installation.

The annual event served as a belated Independence Day celebration and was open to all DSCR civilian employees. Kathrine Brixton, a management analyst with Richmond’s MWR, said about 1,500 lunches were served.

“The Patriotic Picnic is an installation-wide quality of life event to thank the DSCR workforce,” said Brixton. “Events like this offer a chance for informal communication and building relationships across the communities on the installation.”

DLA Aviation employees were part of the workforce from Defense Supply Center Richmond, Va. that enjoyed a Patriotic Picnic at the Centre Bistro Cafeteria on July 23. About 1,500 workers from across DSCR were in attendance. The annual event is hosted by Moral, Welfare and Recreation and sponsored by the Civilian Welfare Fund.

Danette Bailey, an administrative officer with the Army Reserve’s 80th Training Command, volunteered her help for the picnic and appreciates the focus on patriotism.

“Gathering to celebrate our country’s independence is a valuable reminder that we are regarded as the land of the free and home of the brave,” she said. “This awareness should be rooted in all equally, regardless of who we are or where we’re from.”

The menu featured a classic American backyard barbecue picnic cuisine, which included pulled pork, fried chicken, corn on the cob, green beans, potato salad, coleslaw and strawberry shortcake, along other offerings. A DJ kept the celebration lively during the event.

“As a leader, I’m very appreciative of MWR hosting events like these,” says Jason Sagadraca, a branch chief in the Procurement Process Support Directorate. “People may show up for the free food, but they stick around to enjoy each other’s company and festivities. It gives the workforce a chance to take a break from their demanding duties, relax and feel appreciated.”

"To see the excitement and enjoyment on the faces of hundreds of DSCR civilians all coming together to celebrate is truly special and such a boost to everyone's morale,” said Brixen, “including ours at MWR, CWF and our volunteers alike who pledged their time to the service."

Future MWR events are advertised in the weekly MWR Highlights newsletter, DefenseMWR.com/Richmond and Facebook.com/MWRRichmond.