Army

WHO: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh and Buffalo districts

WHAT: Pittsburgh and Buffalo districts’ staff will update the public on the project’s status, upcoming site activities, and other topics of public interest for the Shallow Land Disposal Area site. USACE and its partners will be on hand, before and after the formal presentation, at various display stations to allow the public to ask questions about specific aspects of the project.

WHERE: Parks Township Fire Department at 1119 Dalmation Drive, Vandergrift, PA 15690

WHEN: Thursday, Nov 7: Doors open for display stations: 6:30 p.m.

Information session briefing: 7 – 8:30 p.m.

WHY: The public information session furthers USACE’s efforts for transparency regarding the SLDA remediation process.

The public can submit questions before the meeting by emailing [email protected] or calling 412-395-7500.

Background

The SLDA site, encompassing 44 acres of privately-owned land, is approximately 23 miles east-northeast of Pittsburgh in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. It is on the right bank of the Kiskiminetas River, a tributary of the Allegheny River, near the communities of Apollo and Vandergrift. Radioactive waste disposal operations were conducted between 1960 and 1970 at the site.

Low-level radioactive materials, used primarily for nuclear-powered submarine and power-plant fuel, were produced under the Atomic Energy Commission contracts, and eventually disposed of at the SLDA site. Disposal operations were conducted by the Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation (NUMEC) firm in the early 1960s. The Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) purchased stock in NUMEC in 1967 and sold the stock to BWX Technologies in 1971. BWXT is the current owner of the SLDA site.

A 2002 law directed the site be added to the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The program was initiated to identify, investigate, clean up, or control sites throughout the United States contaminated by the Nation’s atomic weapons and energy programs.

For more information, visit the Army Corps’ SLDA website: https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/Mission/Projects/Article/3646985/shallow-land-disposal-area/

Copies of the Remedial Investigation Report, Feasibility Study, Record of Decision (including amendment), and other documents are available online and at the Apollo Memorial Library, 219 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Apollo, PA 15613-1397.

Contact the Pittsburgh District Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (412) 395-7500 for more information.

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade carries water cans during a timed physical fitness assessment as part of E3B, Del Din, Vicenza, Oct. 25, 2024.

This year’s E3B is hosted by the 173rd Airborne Brigade and includes Soldiers from across Europe, including Partners and Allies from Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain. E3B creates experts at all levels, across all organizations, increasing readiness and lethality of Soldiers, teams, squads and platoons. These events are a key enabler to molding the force into professionals, while stressing commitment to every Soldier’s individual development.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mariah Y. Gonzalez)

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – In a career spanning three decades, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves has worn many hats. From serving in leadership roles of platoons through major commands such as U.S. Army South, and even in the distinguished halls of the Pentagon, Graves’ journey through the Army has been defined by one consistent mission—developing the next generation of leaders.

As he nears the end of his decorated service, Graves looks back on his career with pride, but it’s the future—both for the Army and for his Family—that excites him most.

How it All Started

Graves’ path to leadership began with a pivotal decision. His decision to join the Army was inspired by his upbringing. Raised in the small town of Tipler, Wis. in a tight-knit, blue-collar family, he grew up with a deep respect for service and hard work.

While he seemed destined to continue one of the family businesses, life had other plans for him.

He had plans to attend college but they were postponed his senior year of high school when he learned that he was going to become a father.

“My daughter was born right after I graduated, and I thought that I should probably stay home,” Graves recollected. “But the more I thought about my future and having a little girl to support, I wanted something that had benefits and a retirement.”

On top of that, his family name was well known in his town. Several of his uncles had served in the military, but it was his grandfather’s decorated World War II service that really influenced his decision to serve.

Graves continued that lineage of service by enlisting in the Army as an armor crewman on May 4, 1995.

Leadership Lessons from Children

Graves grew up fast as a young father and leader, and he said having children at such a young age assisted him in formulating his approach to leadership. But it didn’t happen suddenly.

“I grew up as a young leader treating everyone the same,” he reflected. “So, as I started to program myself to the next level of leadership, I got to learn a lot about people.”

Graves analyzed his experiences in parenting and leading Soldiers and saw similarities. He had an epiphany and changed his approach to leadership.

“I realized early on that I couldn’t treat my son the same way I treated my daughter,” Graves said. “They had different personalities, different motivators, and that’s the same with Soldiers. You have to learn what drives each person if you want to lead them effectively.”

“You have to understand people before you can lead them. That’s true whether you’re talking about your kids or your team in the Army.”

From Tactical to Strategic Leadership

Graves didn’t always have the big picture view that comes with decades of experience. Early in his career, like many Soldiers, his focus was at the tactical level.

As a platoon sergeant and tank master gunner, he was in the thick of the everyday grind of military operations. But as his roles expanded, so did his perspective.

As Graves moved through the ranks and took on higher level assignments at battalion, brigade, and corps levels, he began to see the Army as more than just a series of tactical maneuvers. It was a complex organization with strategic goals and business operations, all of which needed to work in harmony to succeed.

“You know, when I left [the] brigade [level] and went to the Pentagon, I was like, ‘I’m a brigade sergeant major. I know the Army.’” he said before he let out a chuckle. “I got to the Pentagon and realized I didn’t understand half of what I thought I did.”

Graves’ time on the Army staff at the Pentagon was a turning point. There, he saw firsthand the complexities of military operations at the highest level.

Coupling the new strategic level of thinking with his past experiences at the tactical and operational levels, he was able to gain a whole new concept of how the Army functioned successfully.

“Each one of those opportunities to step a little bit out of my comfort zone and do something at a different level allowed me to complete my understanding of the organization,” he said. “Once you understand what Soldiers and civilians at a command two or three layers above you are dealing with and really understand it, then you can solve problems up and down the chain of command.”

That broad understanding of the Army is something he continues to pass down to those he mentors today.

A Family of Leaders

The Graves Family has created its own small Army, united by shared values and service. Graves’ daughter and her husband are both staff sergeants in the Army, while his son is also a staff sergeant, married to the daughter of two retired senior NCOs.

He said that he takes immense pride in the intimate opportunities he has to professionally mentor his lineage.

“The fact that my kids still come to me for guidance—that tells me I must have done something right,” Graves said with a grin. “That’s one of the things I’m most proud of.”

Even Graves’ stepdaughter, though not in uniform, chose to serve as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense. Together, they’ve built a network of support, growing together as leaders in their own right.

On top of his Family members leading in uniform, Graves’ wife, Anna, has consistently taken a leadership role or volunteered in the various communities she has been a part of with each of Graves’ permanent change of station’s.

“Whether it’s volunteering with an Army organization, sitting on a scholarship review board or mentoring a junior Soldier’s spouse, Anna is always setting an example for our Family and for the community,” Ronald exclaimed. “She is always looking to contribute and support whatever organization we are serving no matter our location.”

Graves expressed his immense gratitude for the infinite loop of inspiration and support he has fostered in his Family.

“We have this entire Family of NCOs and leaders, and we all work together collectively to watch out for each other, grow, shape, develop each other for the next levels.” Graves said. “That’s what really motivates me.”

“It’s about building the next leader.”

Graves’ years in uniform have shaped one of his core beliefs: leadership is a responsibility not just to the mission, but to the people.

“It’s not about me, but about who comes next,” he said plainly. “It’s constantly seeking out and seizing upon teachable moments to generate the leaders to make the Army better than it was for the last generation.”

Graves’ leadership style is rooted in mentorship. Whether he guided a young noncommissioned officer (NCO) or gave career advice to his own children—two of whom are staff sergeants in the Army—Graves focused on providing the tools and opportunities for others to grow.

“I’ve always felt that if you want to leave a lasting impact, you coach, teach, and mentor your replacement,” he explained. “It’s the Army’s upward replacement pyramid of leaders, in that, for me to get to the next rank, it’s my duty to help shape the person who’s going to take over my position.”

What’s Next?

As Graves approaches the end of his military career, he’s already exploring new opportunities. Through the Hiring Our Heroes program, which helps veterans transition into civilian leadership roles, Graves is preparing for life after the Army. But he’s keeping his options open.

“If the right opportunity in corporate America doesn’t come along, I’m ready to create my own path,” he says. “I’m not done yet. I’m always going to find a way to lead, whether that’s in a business or something else.”

For Graves, leadership isn’t tied to rank or uniform. It’s about making an impact, no matter where you are.

“At the end of the day, leadership is about helping others succeed,” he says. “That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.”

As Graves prepares to take off his uniform, one thing is certain: his legacy of leadership will continue to shape the Army for years to come—not just through the Soldiers he’s mentored, but through his own Family, who will carry the torch of military service and leadership into the future.

VICENZA, Italy — Every year, retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ed Furnish says he gets to celebrate two birthdays—one in September and one in October. The first is his actual birthday; the second is the anniversary of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) —an organization that holds a special meaning in his life since he was stationed here in 1959, when he arrived as a 17-year-old from a small farm in Indiana.

Now 82 years old, Furnish was the oldest attendee at SETAF-AF’s 69th anniversary and had the honor of cutting the birthday cake alongside the youngest Soldier, Pfc. Daely Goodwin, at the celebration. They were joined by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general of SETAF-AF.

Throughout his military career, Furnish served with SETAF-AF—then called SETAF until 2020—in the logistics division. After retiring from the military, he spent 34 years as a civil servant, living in Vicenza for many of those years working for SETAF-AF and U.S. Army Garrison Italy.

“SETAF means home,” said Furnish. “I married my wife, an Italian from nearby Castelfranco. All three of my children attended school here, and my youngest daughter was born in the hospital on post.”

Over the last eight decades, Furnish has witnessed SETAF-AF evolve, adapting to new missions and expanding its reach across continents. Initially, the unit operated as part of NATO’s defense in Southern Europe, with a particular focus on protecting Italy. When Furnish arrived in Vicenza in 1959, SETAF consisted of 6,000 Soldiers and was divided into three major elements: a headquarters command, missile command and a logistical command. The command spanned three installations in Verona, Vicenza and Livorno.

“I think SETAF started out with a purpose in 1955, and now there’s an even bigger purpose for SETAF-AF. They’re going to keep growing,” Furnish said.

He also saw Vicenza evolve from a city recovering from the destruction of World War II to a bustling center of activity. Yet, for Furnish, one thing that has not changed in over 65 years is the core of Italian culture.

“Italy has always had fantastic food and wine—none of that has changed,” he said. “The Italian way of life hasn’t changed either. Life may be faster-paced now, but their culture remains the same as it was when I arrived in 1959.”

During the 69th anniversary ceremony, Furnish joined other U.S. and Italian military dignitaries, including Magda Maselli, the daughter of Phil Maselli, who served SETAF-AF for 43 years. A journal belonging to Phil Maselli, which documented the early history of SETAF-AF, was presented to Gainey during the event.

“We have worked side-by-side with our Italian hosts to promote peace and security,” said Gainey. “I’m proud to be part of that legacy, and today we have an opportunity to honor two individuals whose contributions shaped our shared history.”

Before the cake cutting, Gainey recognized both Furnish and Maselli for their contributions and long-standing service to SETAF-AF.

“I think it’s great that SETAF continues to recognize this every year, showing the younger generation that the tradition is going to carry on,” Furnish concluded.