I retired from federal civil service after working 40 years at Fort Lee, Va.    Fort Lee, originally known as “Camp Lee” prior to 1917, and later renamed in 1950, is located 25 miles south of Richmond, Va. During the Civil War Gen. Ulysses S. Grant prosecuted the nine month “Siege of Petersburg”, Va., to cut a major supply line for the Confederate Army.   Fort Lee was named after Gen. Robert E. Lee, the paragon of southern nobility and the consummate confederate military leader of the Civil War— a heroic symbol. The pervasive countenance of his stately persona is a constant reminder of the general acceptance of the…

Best Birthday Ever    I was supposed to be asleep, but I waited until there was not a sound and quietly snuck downstairs to get another slice of cake. That afternoon I had my first birthday party, or at least the first one I could remember. I was 3 or 4 and my parents had it outdoors in a big gray-green Army tent, at 521-E, 22nd Street.. in the Projects.    It was dark downstairs and as I opened the “ice box” the light inside lit the kitchen. My eyes grew big as I scanned inside looking for leftover cake. My mouth watered as I reached for it… then I…