JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - –
Since its inception one year ago in January 2015, the Fort Eustis Diamond Council has made a name for themselves as an organization that cares for U.S. Service members throughout Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, and the surrounding community.
The Diamond Council is comprised of U.S. Army first sergeant's from various work centers across Fort Eustis, and aims to support the JBLE community through morale, welfare and recreation by organizing fundraisers, performing random acts of kindness and supporting volunteer opportunities in the local area.
"We've performed random acts of kindness, such as paying for gas for Soldiers at the gas station on base, provided holiday baskets for members in need and volunteered at events across the post whenever we're needed," said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Ernest Evans, FEDC president. "We're trying to do as much as we can to show the Soldiers we are here to support them and get as much involvement from other first sergeants as possible."
The organization began with four first sergeants and by creating the organization from the ground up, it helped the council member's network with others across the installation, as well as across the joint base environment.
"The Air Force has a council at every base and we're the first ones to have created such a thing in the Army," said First Sgt. Eddie Brinkley, FEDC vice president. "We didn't know where to start or what we could do to help the Soldiers so we reached out to the Langley First Sergeants' Council; they helped us tremendously when it came to getting this organization up and running and they have continued to help us grow throughout the year."
Brinkley added that the council hopes to make this a legitimate organization across the Army as a way to add more chances to support Soldiers everywhere they go.
As the first year's progress continues to flourish, Diamond Council members have reflected on their accomplishments and obstacles over the past 12 months and continue to seek out new ways to provide for their Service members.
"It's an amazing feeling to be able to help the Soldiers when they need it, and just to be able to do something nice for them from time to time to show them we appreciate them," said Evans. "It's awesome when Soldiers feel comfortable coming to us when they have questions or need assistance; they now know who they can come to more."
The first major event for the year 2016 will include a quarterly leadership seminar held in March, which will be open to all military members. The council also plans to continue bringing events to JBLE that Service members ask for, such as intramural basketball, which returned this past year after being absent for 20 years.
For more information about the council, contact Evans at 878-4788 or
ernest.l.evans.mil@mail.mil.