Memorial Day Preparation at Alexandria National Cemetery
Preparations
Navy Commander Joe Cubba presented VFW Commander Bob Jones with a new flag to fly over the Alexandria National Cemetery on Saturday morning,
'Fair Winds and Following Seas'
Old Dominion Boat Club holds 133rd flag raising.
Dreary skies and weekend rains cleared as members, dignitaries and guests of the Old Dominion Boat Club gathered at the foot of King Street May 19 for the 133rd annual flag raising ceremony. “These flags symbolize the unity between the city, the state, the United States and the Old Dominion Boat Club,” said Mayor Bill Euille prior to the yearly tradition of hoisting new flags to kick off the official start of a safe boating season. “This ceremony is a tradition that has been passed down for 133 years to the young people of our community.”
Unconventional Camp Ideas
Suggestions for parents still searching for summer activities
Lauralie Kennedy has been knee-deep in frantic online searches. School ends next month and the Alexandria mother has yet to enroll her 6-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter in summer camp. “I just haven’t put together a plan yet,” she said. “I have a spread sheet with all of the things I’d like for them to do, but I haven’t done anything with it. I am hoping that there will be slots open somewhere.”
Working To Help Ex-Offenders
Local probation office reintegrates ex-offenders into community.
As a longstanding observer of criminal behavior trends Lisa Stapleton, a 21-year veteran of the state Department of Corrections and, since 2007, chief of Probation and Parole of Alexandria, said, “80 percent of our adult offenders on probation have committed crimes because they have at one time or another been involved in substance abuse violations … and I would also say that we are much more aware that the source of problems for many offenders entering into criminal behavior are untreated or unresolved mental health issues.
100 New Citizens Sworn In
Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova, Delegate Keam participate in naturalization ceremony in Fairfax.
The new citizens, accompanied by many family members, filled the Government Center's auditorium for the naturalization ceremony held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova and Delegate Keam addressed the group, each describing in their words what it meant to be an American.
Don’t Be Among the Missing
Last time Virginia elected a governor, 1.7 million voters failed to vote after voting the previous year
In 2008, 74.5 percent of Virginia’s registered voters turned out to vote in the presidential election. In 2009, the last time Virginians elected a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates, just 40.4 percent of registered voters came out to vote. That is to say that 1.7 million voters went missing in the Commonwealth.
Brief:Amazon Web Services to Expand in Fairfax County
Company will add 500 IT-focused jobs.
Governor Bob McDonnell announced last week that Amazon Web Services, Inc., (AWS), an Amazon.com company, will expand in Fairfax County and add 500 new jobs to the county economy.
Brief: Amazon Web Services to Expand in Fairfax County
Company will add 500 IT-focused jobs.
Governor Bob McDonnell announced last week that Amazon Web Services, Inc., (AWS), an Amazon.com company, will expand in Fairfax County and add 500 new jobs to the county economy.
Eagle Scout Prepares Emergency Preparedness Kits
The process of becoming an Eagle Scout is one that requires much work, dedication, and passion for the organization. Each person planning to become an Eagle Scout must complete an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, in which they plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. These projects require multiple steps of approval including their scoutmaster, a troop committee, and the district itself.
‘How Did That Happen?’
Tale of two funds
This is a story about two funds that have made a significant difference in Alexandria for a decade and how they are possibly threatened. The public is understandably concerned about the future of dedicated funding for the long-established Affordable Housing Fund and Open Space Fund. I certainly share their concern, and I hope this letter will help clarify what the two funds are, their impact, and why we need to reinstate the dedicated funds for these set asides. Otherwise, Alexandria will have two funds without a predictable, consistent base of support and will be up and down like the wind.
School Notes
The following students enrolled at Virginia Tech were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2012 semester: Madalena R. McNeil is a junior majoring in international studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Owen T. Nugent is a sophomore majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering. Kelley M. O'Leary is a senior majoring in interior design in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Catherine B. Royka is a sophomore majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Laina N. Schneider is a junior majoring in crop and soil environmental sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Kelly E. Wood is a senior majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Christopher A. Caldwell is a senior majoring in computer science in the College of Engineering. Hilmi D. Entabi is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering. Adam D. Frank is a senior majoring in sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Travis E. Frank is a senior majoring in landscape architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Sonia Garakyaraghi is a freshman majoring in university studies. Alan A. Gomez is a senior majoring in computer engineering in the College of Engineering. Juan G. Montolin is a senior majoring in geography in the College of Natural Resources and Environment.
People
The Alexandria City Council reappointed Gwendolyn Day-Fuller and Kathleen Schloeder to the Alexandria Library Board. Day-Fuller serves as the board’s secretary and Schloeder as its chair. The Alexandria Library Board also welcomed two new members this year, the City of Alexandria’s Vice Mayor, Allison Silberberg, and City Council appointee, Helen Desfosses. Silberberg, whose civic efforts promote social justice, has been an Alexandria resident since 1989, and was elected to City Council in November 2012.
Military Notes
Marine Corps Pvt. Mau E. Knight, brother of Darius J. Faison of Gainesville, Fla. and nephew of Marine Corps Sgt. Michael T. Knight of Alexandria, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. Knight is a 2009 graduate of Pine Ridge High School of Deltona, Fla.
Bulletin Board
Absentee Voting Opens On Tuesday June 11, there will be a Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Absentee voting for the primary began Friday, April 26. Many Alexandria voters are eligible to vote absentee, but relatively few take advantage of this option. Qualifying circumstances: commute and work for 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open; caregiver for a confined family member; unable to go to the polls in person on Election Day because of an illness or disability; or will be absent from Alexandria on Election Day because of personal business, work, school, or vacation. To learn more about these, and other circumstances in which absentee voting is an appropriate option, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections and click on “Absentee Voting,” or call 703-746-4050.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
The sacrifices of those who died in war.
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of the Kings Park West neighborhood of Fairfax, was killed by enemy fire on April 23, 2013 in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan. Hess was known as “RJ” and graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 2005, where he played football, lacrosse and was the captain of the swim team. He was a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot who deployed to Afghanistan on April 11, 2013. His family remembers his sense of humor and his natural leadership ability.
Letter to the Editor: Help Keep The Lights On
I thought you would be interested in an update about the ongoing saga of the Christmas tree lights on King Street. They were all turned off April 15 and the short-run effort to keep them on through this spring did not work.
Tea Party Ticket
Republican convention selects conservative slate of candidates for November.
Perhaps the biggest sign that the Tea Party has taken control of the Republican Party of Virginia was the yellow Gadsden flag emblem that appeared on placards distributed by supporters of Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, who was one of seven candidates vying to be the nominee for lieutenant governor last weekend at a raucous convention in Richmond. Davis, who represented Fairfax County for a decade in the General Assembly, has a reputation as being a moderate.
Column: Commission Praises Foundation
The Ronald M. Bradley Foundation recently received an “Excellence in Aging Award for an Organization” for its commitment to the City of Alexandria’s holiday Meals-on-Wheels program.
Alexandria Bulletin Board
Information on events going on in Arlington.
Column: Observing Memorial Day
Public invited to May 27 ceremony at Alexandria National Cemetery.
Memorial Day is about remembering those who died for our values to make our way of American life possible. This honoring of the memories of the fallen and the values for which they died is not limited to one day.