By Justin Creech
Staff writer
Thursday, August 2, 2012

Fort Belvoir celebrated the opening of the new 7,400 square foot Express shoppette and gas station on the corner of Pohick and Gunston roads, July 25.

The new building features a Burger King, 16 gas pumps, an expanded Snack Avenue that includes coffee and cappuccino machines, hot dogs, tornados, burritos and to-go sandwiches.

The ceremony included opening remarks from Rebecca Santee, Fort Belvoir Army and Air Force Exchange Service, General Manager, an invocation by Chaplain Col. Phillip Hill and words by the guest speaker, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Gregory D. Gadson.

Santee said she is happy to get the new shop up and running after a two-year construction process.

“This facility offers everything in one convenient location,” said Santee. “There wasn’t an Express on South Post, but now there is. We’re excited to bring this quality of life improvement to Belvoir for troops, their Families, retirees and civilians on post.”

Gadson said the opening of the Express is another example of how the installation is moving forward together and it promises to make life more convenient for post residents and employees.

“This shop is just as nice as any place off post,” said Gadson. “This ceremony marks a major job well-done.”

Hill said it is no coincidence the new shop is called a service station since it will serve the people of Fort Belvoir. He added “let’s work to make this more than just a title.”

One way the Express is doing that is by contributing 66 percent of its annual earnings to the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

The donated funds allow DFMWR to keep the cost of their events for the Families and Soldiers on post affordable.

“We have a great partnership with DFMWR,” Santee said. “We compliment each other and support the same audience, so we are always happy to do anything to give back to that.”

Customers began using the Express at 6 a.m. on July 25th and were already pleased with the options offered at the new shop.

Spc. Howard Pratt, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Corpsman 3rd Class is just happy to have a service station on the south side of post.

“We need a gas station closer to the south side of post,” said Howard. “It has more gas pumps, and it has beef jerky and Monster (energy drinks). So, I’m very satisfied.”

The cleanliness and organization of all the items in the store impressed Pamela Vojtik, whose husband is a retired Marine Corps major. She also likes that the new Express is larger and not “tucked” away like the one on North Post.

“This one gives more variety of services,” said Vojtik. “It provides more which is good as the installation continues to grow.”