CPL Blake Aaron Thomas – July 18, 1989 – August 1, 2017
Blake Aaron Thomas, from Williamsburg, VA, served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007 to 2011. He was a 0341 Mortarman and served with 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, Kilo Company and deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom to Haddi, Afghanistan, 2008-2009. He moved to Colorado in 2013 where he attended the University of Colorado and was active at local gyms and MMA training. He also enjoyed hiking, mountaineering, snowboarding, camping, and many other outdoors activities. He is survived by his father, Blake Gerald Thomas and his wife Jen Thomas; his mother, Cynthia Louise Stevens; Siblings Lettie Thomas and husband Daniel Flynn; Emily Thomas; Gabrielle Kirby and husband Avery Kirby; Nikita Moore; Mariah Thomas; Cody Thomas; Ben Owen; grandmother Marie Slater; Aunt Debbie; Aunt Melinda and husband Sam Otey; Uncle Kim Thomas and wife Frieda and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, Virginia on August 10th 2017 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to K9s for Warriors, www.k9sforwarriors.org and/or 3/8 OIF & OEF Veterans, www.38oifoef.org .
Recent Stories
ust before 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2025, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units responded to a reported large boat fire at Hope Springs Marina on Hope Springs Lane.
Crews arrived on the scene within 10 minutes to find a large vessel, still attached to the dock, fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters acted swiftly, extending lines along the dock to contain the fire. Simultaneously, personnel used Fire Boat 1500 at Hope Springs Marina to attack the flames from the water.
To minimize environmental damage, booms were placed in the water to prevent the spread of hazardous materials.
Say “Meowdy” to Little One, a gentle one-year-old feline who has been waiting patiently for her forever home at the Stafford County Animal Shelter for 229 days. Little One arrived…
The United Campus Workers of Virginia, a statewide union representing workers at the University, Virginia Commonwealth University, William & Mary and Virginia Tech, rallied in Richmond’s Capitol Square Jan. 17 to demand collective bargaining rights and advocate for systems reforms in higher education. Following a morning of lobbying sessions with state legislators, the union called for legislative action to address issues such as delayed graduate worker pay and the high cost of living near the represented universities, the Cavalier Daily reports.
The central demand of the rally was to allow for collective bargaining, the process of negotiation between employers and groups of employees to establish provisions for wages, benefits and working conditions. Union members emphasized that without this legal right in the state, public-sector workers and higher education employees alike lack a formal instrument to address issues such as insufficient or delayed pay, suppression of free expression and inadequate workplace conditions. Rally speakers argued that collective bargaining would allow workers to secure fair contracts — holding higher institutions accountable to treating their employees fairly.
Virginia took another decisive step in its ongoing reckoning with its Confederate past as the House of Delegates in a bipartisan move approved legislation to strip tax-exempt status from organizations tied to the Confederacy, reports Virginia Mercury.
House Bill 1699, which passed by a 53-42 vote on Friday, targets groups like the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), ending their property and recordation tax privileges.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
