J. Glenn Eugster: 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Reflecting on Furloughs

J. Glenn Eugster

October 4, 2013

I worked for the federal government from 1976 until 2008 and I believe that I witnessed everything at least twice. The feds were furloughed 17 times during my career. The longest time was in 1996 when we were out for 21 days. Most of the time it was no big deal because the work belonged to us and we decided where and when it would be done. True the government and Congress own the buildings, desks, cars, phones, copy machines and computers, but the work has always belonged to the workers.

Early in my time the President hired Jim Watt to lead the Department of Interior. His approach was to threaten everyone with a "reduction in force". Frankly that administration didn't believe what we were doing was necessary. The threats worked and 12 of my staff of 15 left voluntarily for fear that they would be "reduced". From that experience we were more determined not to let politically-motivated people take our jobs from us. You see we were public servants and we believed in the idea of working in the interest of the public. The free-market system can do a lot of things but it cannot represent the public interest in America.

Some days during this period the situation was dismal. Once, with a death-wish in our heart, we organized a workers-strike--complete with a signed resolution, and walked off the job one afternoon. Luckily we reconsidered before anyone knew we were gone.

When we recovered from the Watt years we accepted the fact than many federal agency managers were mean-spirited with agendas which were more political that public. We grew our budget to over 2 million dollars and hired a staff of 43. We recruited people who believed that their work was important. Our belief was grounded in our legislative mandates and the strong support we received from state, local and private leaders across the U.S.

When you are working as a fed and a furlough comes it turns-you-around. Some people find the experience not worth the trouble and move on to the private sector or other levels of government. For those of us that braved the storms of uncertainty we took refuge in our belief that it is an honor to serve our country and the work was what made the good times and the hard times worth it.

Those on furlough today need to use their down-time to think about what motivates their interest in federal service beyond a job or a paycheck. Finding a job is easy. Finding a job that makes a difference and that you have a passion for is more of a challenge. No matter what, until you decide differently, the work belongs to you.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Fort Ward Park Development October 7, 1960

Friday, September 27, 2013

View from Fort Ward: City Continues to Neglect Family Grave Areas at Fort Ward

View from Fort Ward: City Continues to Neglect Family Grave Areas at Fort Ward

J. Glenn Eugster

July 18, 2013

After countless hours of meetings, hundreds of public written comments, dozens of newspaper, magazine, radio and television stories, years of study by City of Alexandria agencies and an advisory group, the city’s approach to protecting and maintaining family grave areas within Fort Ward Park has not changed. Identified and documented family grave areas continue to be unmarked and poorly maintained despite the pleas and urgings of the descendant family members of those buried in the park, as well as leaders of the Fort Ward History Work Group and the Fort Ward Park and Museum Advisory Group.

Alexandria has 128 parks. According to Jim Spengler, Director of the City’s Recreation Department, this is the only one which is “historic”. “We aren’t historic, not trained in historic maintenance and never will be. Maintenance workers don’t differentiate between different [types of] parks. Park crews mostly work on athletic fields and get [positive] feedback on their work”.

During discussions with the Advisory Group members Mr. Spengler has suggested that Fort Ward Park’s historic areas would be better managed by the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria(OHA) or a private contractor. Lance Malamo, Director of OHA, isn’t sure that he has the money or the expertise within his group to manage the park’s historic areas. When descendants and community leaders first expressed concern about the damage to and maintenance of the grave areas he referred them to the Recreation Department.

While Alexandria’s department heads work out their responsibilities, and the Advisory Group and the city’s consultant continue to prepare a management plan for the park, the family grave areas need to be respected, protected and maintained. The park’s history includes the Civil War and the families that lived in the area before the park was created. Continued neglect and disrespect of these sacred places, especially during the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, reflects badly on the City of Alexandria and its residents. Citizens have repeatedly asked for improved management at Fort Ward Park. It’s time the city made this park a priority.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Judy Young-Smith

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Judy Young-Smith

"Between Clara Adams grave and the new maintenance area there were graves--ten or more".

March 7, 2009 Oral history interview with Sgt. Young, Judy Young Smith, Adrienne Terrell Washington, other members of the Young family, Dave Cavanaugh, J. Glenn Eugster, and Pam Cressey, Susan Cumbey and Wally Owen, and others, from the City of Alexandria, VA.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Armistead L. Boothe

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Armistead L. Boothe

In 1968 the Alexandria City Council passed a resolution for the condemnation of land for the establishment of a historical park at Fort Ward. The resolution included two adjoining properties, northeast of the park road, owned by Cassisus McKnight and Edward M. Robinson. As the City’s “taking” moved forward Mr. McKnight and Mr. Robinson were represented by Armistead L. Boothe an attorney for the legal firm of Boothe, Dudley, Koontz, Blankingship and Stump of Alexandria.

On May 2, 1968 Mr. Boothe wrote to Dayton Cook, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works asking for information on title reports and plat descriptions. He also noted that “ I understand that part of these properties may be occupied by a family cemetery. Would you kindly advise if this is be true and let me know if it poses any problems. Specifically, does the City want to remove the bodies or will it keep the graveyard as part of the park”.

In 2010 the Fort Ward History Work Group requested information on this communication between Mr. Boothe and Mr. Cook. The Office of the City Attorney indicated that the City finds no records of the correspondence. Subsequent verbal and written requests to the Office of Historic Alexandria and City Council by the Fort Ward HIstory Work Group have not been replied to.

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? E.G. Heatwole

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? E. G. Heatwole

As the City of Alexandria acquired private residential lands for the creation and development of Fort Ward Park the city’s officials took various actions to prepare the area for preservation and public use. Research conducted by members of the Fort Ward History Work Group and the Ft. Ward & Seminary African American Descendants Society has uncovered public information about possible grave areas within the Fort site.

For example, on October 3, 1960, while the E. G. Heatwole Alexandria’s City Manager was discussing development plans for Fort Ward Park with the Directors of Public Works, Planning, and his assistant Eugene L. Barnwell, City Public Works Director P.B. Hall reported that a new topographic map of the Fort was completed and it included a grave plot 40’ X 50’. During the discussion Mr. Hall suggested that this be referred to the City Attorney for his opinion and recommendation.

Following the discussion on October 7, 1960 the City Manager wrote a letter to City Attorney V. Floyd Williams about the “Cemetery Plot within bounds of Fort Ward”. The letter indicates that the City’s Public Works Director P.B. Hall reported that “there are several graves located within the Fort site. It is not believed that they have any relationship with activities of Fort Ward during 1861-65. Also it is questioned as to whether there are bodies still buried there”.

The letter continues, “If possible, we would like to have the area cleared. Would you please advise me as to what action should be taken by the City to accomplish this?”

In an effort to find out what actions were taken, and where possible graves may be, members of the Fort Ward History Work Group made a request for written information related to these discussions under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. In January 2012 staff from the Office of the City Attorney wrote that “the City finds no records” of these discussions or correspondence. Community leaders as well as the family members of those who may be involved continue to hope that the archaeological research that is now underway will answer questions about the lost graves of Fort Ward.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Damaged Coffin Found Under Park Road

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Damaged Coffin Found Under Park Road

April 18, 2012

In July and October 2011 City Archaeologist Dr. Pam Cressey reported to City officials and community leaders on the results of research done as part of the City’s Interim Storm Water Drainage Project. She noted that archaeological work revealed part of a unidentified coffin which was located under the road to the Fort Ward Park Maintenance Yard. “Unfortunately, most of the coffin and all traces of human remains were destroyed at some point in the past. All that remains today is two-thirds of the bottom of the coffin. The head and shoulder area of the bottom of the coffin is completely missing. The grave was probably cut by the park road post-1980”.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Jackson Family

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Jackson Family

Public records indicate that James F. Jackson bought land in Fort Ward from John A. Miller and his wife about the year 1890. Research information within the Office of Historic Alexandria includes files from December 10, 1919 that show there were “graves along the Jackson Property”.

In Circut Court files from September 1924 involving James Jackson and his wife versus Shadrack there is a note indicating that : “This land is in a colored section and there is a colored cemetery theron”. Within this same file there is reference to “two pieces of land sold by Jackson to John Peters and Frank Lewis, and a grave yard lot 22‘ x 30’ sold to William Carpenter”. Another burial lot sold to Wesley Casey is noted.

A Report of the Commission of Reference, dated September 29, 1924 indicates that “There is a graveyard upon said premises with a right-of-way there to, the right-of-way along the southern portion of the present western line and along the line of Lewis and said right-of-way, which is ten feet wide crosses tract to said cemetery, which is on the east side of the fort of Fort Ward sometimes called Fort Howard”.

In the early 1960‘s the Alexandria City Council provided funds to the Recreation Department to plan for Fort Ward Park. A series of plans were draw by the Robinson Brothers Company, a landscape architecture consultant firm hired by the City. Information on these drawings, which were prepared in 1962, identified graveyards in the park including the location of the Jackson family graves.

On March 18, 2009 at a public meeting on Fort Ward Park held by the City of Alexandria at TC Williams H.S. Mr. William Jackson told the city representatives and meeting attendees that he was related to James Edward and Robert Jackson. He indicated that his mother and brother would show city interests and researchers the location of graves from his family.

Following the public meeting Walter Powell, then a manager with the City Recreation Department, noted that there were graves in this part of Fort Ward Park. Using the 1962 drawings for Fort Ward Tom Fulton, now the Chair of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group, located the approximate area of the graveyard. Phase I archaeology work conducted by The Ottery Group, Inc. working for the Office of Historic Alexandria confirmed graves and grave shafts in 2011.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Sgt. Lee Thomas Young

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Sgt. Lee Thomas Young

In 1996 a consultant for the City of Alexandria’s Office of Historic Alexandria interviewed Sgt. Lee Thomas Young at the “Fort Ward Neighborhood” in Alexandria, VA. Sgt. Young lived on land that is now Fort Ward Park. He noted that he had a home and work shed close to Clara and Robert Adams graves in the Fort Ward Park Nursery and Maintenance Yard. Near his home he noted that there was “a set of graves between this and the cemetery”. He said that there were 5 or 6 grave stones and old headstones.

In 2009 Sgt. Young was interviewed, along with his family members, by Dr. Pam Cressey, Archaeologist for the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria at Fort Ward Park. He noted that he bought the land in what is the Nursery and Maintenance Yard in 1947.

He described how he had 5 cabins behind the kitchen portion of the house in the back yard. “...I rented a couple of them to soldiers.... and the rest I used for tools”.

He told Dr. Cressey that “there was people buried around..”. He noted that there were one or two in his yard and then the rest of them in the back of the yard. When asked about the graves behind his house he said, “Oh, there’s plenty of graves here 18 and 17....little short graves”. He added that the graves were in a wooded area that led to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. “The back, all this was trees, all this was woods, and then graves, the grave you’d stumble over was all in here”. Sgt. Young’s daughter, Judy said, “I know for a fact, there’s probably ten [graves]”.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Ms. Elizabeth Douglass

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Ms. Elizabeth Douglass

“There should be more plots over there. There wasn’t any fence between the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and the Old Grave Yard. The Old Grave Yard stones and land was owned by the church. I argued with the city over the Fitzhugh, Spence and other graves. Virginia Fitzhugh and Corneillia Spence are both part of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery”.

“I went to see the city about the grave stones on the Jackson Cemetery. I went three times to City Hall in the 1970’s. I went to Fort Ward Park about the headstones. I didn’t get any answer. A man [from the city] told me what they didn’t throw away they sold”.

“All through here people are buried. People buried in their backyards.”

Discussion with Ms. Elizabeth Douglas and Frances Terrell at the Old Grave Yard

October 10, 2012

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Councilman Rob Krupicka

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Councilman Rob Krupicka

“The City has a moral obligation to address the issues and history at Ft. Ward. I put $225,00 in my budget proposal to start work on that. It does not address everything, but it is a good down payment. Alexandrians understand how important it is to respect our history and natural resources. The families that have been waiting for resolution deserve to get it.” -- Councilman Rob Krupicka

Memo to Fort Ward Observer 4/29/2011

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Ms. Elizabeth Henry Douglas

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Ms. Elizabeth Henry Douglas

Ms. Elizabeth Henry Douglas, who received the 2009 Brenman Archaeology Award from the Mayor and City Council in October 2009 for her contribution to the City’s oral history program, told members of the Fort Ward History Work Group that, “The number of graves is more than you have noted. Most of the people who lived in the Fort area had family graves. Everyone buried on their own lot“. She noted that the area was not called Fort Ward, only the “Fort”.

Ms. Douglas provided the group with additional insights about the connections between the Fort and the Donaldston Store, roads, mail delivery, and the location of James Jackson’s home which is where the Fort Ward Museum is now located. She also said that “all of the grave stones, except one, had been removed [from the area] just before they started doing the park”.

Elizabeth Douglas noted that the Fitzhugh and Spence graves [in front of the entrance to the maintenance and nursery area] belong in the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery not sticking out where they are”. She noted that the base of one of the gravestones has been damaged and needs to be repaired.

Minutes of the March 6, 2010 Fort Ward History Work Group Meeting

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Julia Randle

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Julia Randle

Julia Randle, archivist at Virginia Theological Seminary’s Bishop Payne Library, where the [Fort Ward History Workgroup] meeting was held, said that the findings should have a huge impact on Alexandria citizens, particularly the black community.

“Alexandria, historically, has focused on it being the colonial port and the home of George Washington and this place that was occupied throughout the Civil War,” Randle said. “But throughout it’s whole history, it wasn’t just white guys doing things. It wasn’t just a white community. It had a large African American community and history that went to put together everything that is Alexandria.”

“We are a community not just of white Southerners, we are a community of people, who are black and white and everything in between,” Randle said. “The significance to the community of Alexandria is the inclusion of the whole community and telling the whole story.”

Julia Randle, Registrar and Historiographer at Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, February 6, 2011

Archaeological Study Reveals Significant Finds At Fort Ward

By Haley Crum

alexandrianews.org

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Lance Mallamo

Despite the possibility of more missing graves, Lance Mallamo, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, said the city, which has spent more than $1 million on Fort Ward Park since 2009, had no immediate plans to continue digging in the park.

"We just don't have the funding to remove every blade of grass and every tree to see if there's a burial out there," Mallamo said. "We focused on areas with documented evidence that showed there were graves."

Mallamo said new technology somewhere down the road will likely allow the city to uncover more graves in an "environmentally responsible way." The ground-penetrating radar used by archeologists in recent searches produced mixed results. And, he said, the lost graves remaining in the park are not immediately threatened.

News article by Taylor Holland. Washington Examiner. September 9, 2012