Friends of CaRMA Update: 19 November 2025

Mike Flanagan, CASA Emeritus

Resilience, Readiness, and Regional Connection

Connecting Virginia’s Defense Communities – Fort Lee | Fort Pickett | Defense Center Richmond

Honoring Leadership, Embracing Community – Becky McDonough,

CaRMA Chair

Last Friday, we witnessed a defining moment for our region’s defense community as Major General Michelle Donahue passed the CASCOM command to Major General Sean P. Davis at Fort Gregg-Adams. The ceremony was more than a transition—it was a tribute to MG Donahue’s visionary leadership and a warm welcome to MG Davis, whose experience and energy will guide CASCOM into its next chapter.

On behalf of CaRMA, I extend our deepest gratitude to LTG Donahue for her steadfast commitment to readiness and regional partnership. We also look forward to working alongside MG Davis (and his wife Camille) and CASCOM staff as we continue to strengthen the ties between our installations and surrounding communities.

As we approach the holiday season, I’m reminded that connection is not just strategic—it’s personal. That’s why I’m especially proud of the upcoming Adopt-A-Soldier program, launching this month across the Capital Region. This initiative offers local families and organizations the chance to open their homes and hearts to service members who may be far from loved ones during the holidays.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to CaRMA, I encourage you to get involved. The spirit of service and hospitality that defines our region is exactly what makes our defense communities resilient—and ready.

Let’s keep building together.

Warmly,

Becky McDonough

Chair, Capital Region Military Alliance (CaRMA)

Pictured above - Becky McDonough with CASA Emeritus Mike Flanagan at the 14 Nov ceremony

CASCOM Change of Command

On 14 November 2025, the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) at Fort Lee, Virginia marked a pivotal leadership transition. Major General Michelle K. Donahue passed command to Major General Sean P. Davis in a ceremony at the Ordnance Training Support Facility.

Following the Change of Command, GEN RETD Martin Dempsey, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, promoted MG Donahue to the rank of Lieutenant General. LTG Donahue now serves as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, while MG Davis brings fresh momentum to CASCOM’s sustainment mission. Fortunately for us all, MG Davis and his wife, Camille, are no strangers to Fort Lee and will continue LTG Donahue's strong engagement with our defense communities.

LTG Donahue remarks were mostly a big "Thank You" to local communities, CaRMA, and members of her command for the incredible accomplishments they made together over the past 24 months. To keep her on track, LTG Donahue had a mock Bomb with a countdown clock off to the side of the audience to keep the ceremony on schedule -- Mission Accomplished.

Thanks to all the leaders and teammates from across the region who joined the event to farewell LTG Donahue and welcome MG Davis.

Note - pictures above include the CaRMA momento, a serving tray, that Becky McDonough presented to LTG Donahue during a leader farewell the night before the 14 November Change of Command. The tray depicts the three CaRMA military installations and the six Defense Communities surrounding Fort Lee.

🔗 Learn more about each leader:

Unreasonable Hospitality - Donahue Dinners with Community Leaders

Over the past two years, MG Michelle Donahue welcomed leaders from across our region into her home with a spirit of generosity that set the tone for everything that followed. Each dinner began in a reception space thoughtfully arranged with artifacts from the U.S. Army Women’s Museum—pieces that sparked conversation, honored our shared history, and naturally connected to the broader vision of the Defense Community Enclave. From those first moments of gathering to the final conversations around the dinner table, she created an atmosphere where people felt valued, heard, and inspired to collaborate.

Her commitment of time, attention, and personal warmth transformed these evenings into far more than meetings; they became the foundation of deeper trust and enduring partnerships across our communities. The digital collection of dinner summaries was created with heartfelt gratitude to a leader who showed us how hospitality, sincerity, and purpose can bring a region together.

Upcoming Events Across the Capital Region Military Alliance

🎖️ Fort Lee

Thanksgiving Brunch at Gregg-Adams Club – 27 Nov, 12 PM
Grand Illumination Ceremony – 4 Dec, 5 PM
Breakfast With Santa – 6 Dec, 9 AM
Federal Employment Workshop – 8 Dec, 11 AM–12 PM
Adopt-A-Soldier – stay tuned for opportunities to host Soldiers in your home over the holidays that don’t have homes to go back to during the holiday break.

Fort Pickett Area Events

While Fort Pickett itself has limited public-facing events, surrounding communities like Blackstone, Farmville, and South Hill are hosting festive gatherings:

Blackstone Christmas Parade
📅 1 December, 7 PM
🎉 Floats, marching bands, and holiday cheer in downtown Blackstone.
Holiday Craft Market – Farmville
📅 23 November, 10 AM–4 PM
🛍️ Riverside Park hosts local artisans and handmade gifts.
South Hill Christmas Tree Lighting
📅 30 November, 6 PM
🌟 Community tree lighting with music and refreshments.
Holiday Bazaar – Victoria, VA
📅 7 December, 9 AM–2 PM
🎁 Crafts, baked goods, and seasonal shopping at Victoria Elementary.

Sources: Virginia Fairs & Festivals

🏛️ DSCR & Richmond Area

Jurassic Quest – Greater Richmond Convention Center – 21 Nov, 12 PM
Tredegar Tree Lighting – American Civil War Museum – 20 Nov, 5:30 PM
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – 17 Nov–4 Jan
Legendary Santa – Children’s Museum of Richmond – 28 Nov–24 Dec
Richmond Symphony “Let It Snow!” – Carpenter Theatre – 29 Nov, 2 & 7 PM
Dominion Energy Christmas Parade – West Broad Street – 6 Dec, 10:15 AM

For full details and ticketing, visit:

Quick Links to military and CaRMA region e-Newsletters and Press Conferences

1. DOD News Releases, Features, and Press Products - HERE

2. Capital Region Military Alliance (CaRMA) – CaRMA-VA website

3. AUSA Noon Time Report Archives can be found on AUSA’s website in the Professional Development Tab and then Resources then Live Streams https://www.ausa.org/ausa-live-streams

4. U.S. Army Reserve: https://www.usar.army.mil/

5. Virginia National Guard: https://va.ng.mil/

6. Army Recruiting - Career Match: Find Your Career in the US Army | goarmy.com

7. DLA Richmond News: https://www.dla.mil/Aviation/

8. Fort Picket: https://va.ng.mil/Installations/Fort-Pickett/

9. Fort Lee News: https://home.army.mil/lee/

10. Virginia’s Department of Veteran Services (DVS) has updates for our veterans on their website (www.dvs.virginia.gov)

13. Chesterfield County - https://www.chesterfield.gov/

14. Colonial Heights City quarterly newsletter - http://www.colonialheightsva.gov/

15. Dinwiddie County -https://dinwiddieva.us/

16. Hopewell City - https://hopewellva.gov/

17. Petersburg City - www.VisitPetersburgVA.org

18. Prince George County - https://www.princegeorgecountyva.gov/

19. Richmond City - https://www.rva.gov/

Whether you’re a veteran, business leader, or neighbor — your participation matters. Learn more at https://CaRmaVA.org and share this newsletter to help others get involved.

Mission Statement

CaRMA unites the defense communities surrounding Fort Lee, Fort Pickett, and Defense Center Richmond to strengthen partnerships, promote workforce development, and ensure long-term regional readiness. Questions on how to get involved - Contact: CaRMA Administrative Assistant – Marian Kamatchi (CaRmaVA@hpgchamber.org)