STAFFORD — (Press release) The family of Sgt. Charles Calvin Strong will honor him and his sacrifice on May 24 at Stafford’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony.
His wife, Taylor Strong, a Stafford County native, and their daughter, Sophie, will place a wreath in memory of Sgt. Strong and those who, along with him, have died in service to the country.
Sgt. Strong never met his daughter. His wife was pregnant with her when Sgt. Strong was killed in 2014 while serving in the Marines in Afghanistan. He was 28-years-old.
The ceremony, out of deference to other local observations, takes place on Friday, May 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the memorial located to the rear of the George L. Gordon, Jr., Government Center, 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford (22554).
“Memorial Day is a day to remember the men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in freedom. The Strong Family reminds us it is also a time to remember and honor those that were left behind,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Gary Snellings, Hartwood District, an Armed Services Memorial Commission member, and Air Force veteran.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony is Lt. Col. Daniel Murphy, who commands the Marine Corps Air Facility at Quantico. Lt. Col. Murphy has been deployed multiple times in his career with the Marine Corps and has been awarded a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Individual Action, Air Medal Strike/Flight numeral 6, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal Gold Star in lieu of second award, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
A Color Guard from Quantico will present the colors. Retired Army Chaplain Jack Marcom will offer the invocation and music will be provided by Aurora Boreal from North Stafford High School. Chairman Gary Snellings will conduct the ceremony.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony at the memorial. Bricks purchased since Veterans Day have also been installed and will be available for viewing. Bricks are still available and may be ordered online.
Recent Stories
Public transportation in Northern Virginia is seeing a significant rebound as ridership continues to climb on both Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains and OmniRide commuter and local buses. However, transit leaders warn that increased demand may soon outpace available resources, especially for locally funded services.
A familiar spot on Garrisonville Road has a fresh new vibe, a new name, and a menu worth talking about.
One of Fredericksburg’s most popular parks will transform into an eco-celebration zone on Saturday, April 26, as the city hosts its annual Earth Day Festival at Old Mill Park.
Governor Glenn Youngkin visited Stafford County on Friday, highlighting more than 250,000 open jobs across Virginia—even as concerns mount over federal job cuts. Speaking at SimVentions, an engineering and technology services firm in Stafford, Youngkin told the crowd, “Virginia has jobs. Lots of jobs.”
Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville
McClung-Logan Equipment Company is hosting its 40th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature customer appreciation event celebrating tradition, community, and generosity.
This year’s milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.
The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Cascade Landing Community Grand Opening
You’re invited to celebrate the Official Grand Opening of our newest community Cascade Landing in Dumfries, VA. Join us April 12th from 11 AM – 6 PM and fall for your new townhome!
Enjoy our grand opening celebration, complete with
