Fort Myer

If You’re Hearing Bugle Music in the Morning, You’re Not Crazy

By ARLnow.com

If you’ve been waking up in the morning to the sound of bugler playing Reveille, don’t worry, you’re not the only one.

We received the following tips this morning:

On the northeast side of the 27/244 (Washington blvd/Columbia pike) intersection, there is a bugle that plays. I don’t know whether it’s coming from the Arlington National Cemetery or from the baracks down by the Air Force memorial, but I think they upgraded their loudspeaker in the past month because when they play reveille at 6:30am, that baby is loud. The evening bugle calls are much more subdued

And:

Hi – I live in Colonial Village on Wilson Blvd and for the past few days, since Thanksgiving, I have been awakened by loud bugle music at 6:30 am. It sounds like it is coming from the direction of Fort Myer. Any idea if this is a new thing? Will it continue? I’ve not heard it before and am wondering how the sound travels so far.

The wake-up call is indeed coming from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (a.k.a. Fort Myer), which just installed a new public address system.

Base spokesperson Sharon Walker says they’re aware of the problem and working to fix it.

“The commander has said ‘it’s too loud, turn it down,'” she said. “They’re trying to adjust it.”

Walker noted that in years prior residents may have noticed the music get louder as leaves — a natural sound dampener — fall from the trees. However, she said, the increase in volume this year is indeed the result of the new PA system and will be taken care of.

Hazmat Investigation at Fort Myer

By ARLnow.com

An Arlington County hazardous materials team has been dispatched to Fort Myer to investigate a white powder that reportedly fell out of a package mailed to the base.

The building that houses the installation’s personnel office has been evacuated while hazmat crews determine whether the substance could be harmful.

Initial reports suggest that the package contains spices mailed from a family member to someone stationed at the base.

Update at 4:00 p.m. — The substance is not harmful. The scene is being cleared.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Paving Update — Now that the section of Wilson Blvd near Whitlow’s is paved with smooth blacktop, workers are focusing on Washington Blvd. As of Sunday afternoon, one lane between North Highland Street and Pershing Drive was torn up, awaiting fresh asphalt. TBD reports that the repaving of Washington Blvd will stretch into next week.

Flames Seen From Plane Engine — The Associated Press reports that flames were seen coming from the engine of a US Airways plane landing at Reagan National Airport. The captain of the flight from Charlotte, N.C. declared an emergency but landed without incident. No flames were seen after it landed.

‘Old Guard’ Returns from Iraq — Soldiers from the Fort Myer-based Old Guard arrived back home Saturday night after serving one year in Iraq. More than 120 soldiers from the historic regiment, best known for its ceremonial duties at Arlington National Ceremony and the White House, provided security at an Iraqi prison. More from WUSA9.

Students Return to Marymount U — The familiar sight of parents helping their children move into the dorms returned to Marymount University over the weekend. The school’s incoming class includes a record 440 freshman and a record 335 transfer students. More from the Sun Gazette.

Flickr pool photo by Afagen.

Second Break in Water Main Near Ft. Myer

By ARLnow.com

Crews are working to fix a second break in a 12-inch water main near Ft. Myer.

The first break occurred around 7:30 this morning at South Courthouse Road and 2nd Street. Water from the break flooded the intersection and nearby Washington Boulevard, snarling rush hour traffic.

Arlington County crews just finished repairing the break and patching up the road. Now, they’re beginning to work on a second break that occurred at South Wayne Street and 2nd Street. Drivers should expect road and lane closures in the area. The repairs should wrap up around 10:00 tonight.

We’re told the second break happened during the repair of the first break. Both breaks, a county employee said, were the result of blown valves.

The water main is thought to date back to the 1960s.

Residents in the area should expect reduced water pressure and possible sediment in the water. To be safe, those with low water pressure should either boil the water or wait for repairs to be completed.

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ART Bus Fire Caught on Video

By ARLnow.com

Update on 5/11 — A county spokesperson says the fire was “electrical in nature” but an exact cause won’t be determined for another week or so.

An ART bus caught fire on Pershing Drive near Ft. Myer around 6:15 tonight. We’re told the intense flames were extinguished by 6:30, but not before causing some major traffic backups. There were no passengers on the bus and the driver managed to escape safely before the bus was fully engulfed. Special thanks to the tipster who sent us this dramatic video.