Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.

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Looking for ways to make a difference in your community? Check out these volunteer opportunities and get involved.

Help Seniors with Snow Removal
Volunteer Prince William is recruiting snow shovelers, ages 16 and older, to assist senior citizens with clearing sidewalks and driveways after snowstorms. Volunteers under 16 are welcome with a parent or guardian.

• When: As needed through March 31, one to three days after snowfall
• What to bring: Your own shovel and the ability to lift wet, heavy snow
• Impact: Help vulnerable seniors access medical appointments and safely enter their homes
• Sign up: Click here and select “Respond”
• Questions: Email jhaw…@volunteerprincewilliam.org

ASL Volunteer Needed for Influential Women Awards
Prince William Living is looking for a volunteer fluent in American Sign Language to assist a deaf nominee during the Influential Women Awards.

• When: March 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Where: Sweeney Barn, 9310 Discovery Boulevard, Manassas
• Perks: Free ticket, includes a light dinner
• Contact: Email Diane at dpuigd…@princewilliamliving.com

Volunteer Teachers Needed for English Language and Literacy
BEACON for English Language and Literacy is seeking morning and evening volunteer teachers and substitutes for the spring semester. No teaching or foreign language experience is required, and training is provided.

• When: March 7 to June 25
• Where: In-person in Manassas and Manassas Park or online via Zoom
• Morning classes: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Evening classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Sign up: Click here for a virtual information session
• Contact: Seth at 571.428.2524

Volunteer Opportunity for Fishing Enthusiasts
Brain Injury Services is looking for a volunteer to support a brain injury survivor in Prince William County who enjoys fishing. The volunteer will also meet with the individual once a month for activities such as coffee, walks, chess, or lunch.

• Learn more: Visit Brain Injury Services Volunteer Page
• Contact: Email mth…@braininjurysvcs.org or call 703.451.8881 ext. 232

Bull Run Watershed Spring Cleanup
The Bull Run Watershed Protectors are hosting their annual spring cleanup, and volunteers are needed to help remove litter from the stream valley behind Costco. Families, students, scouts, and other groups are welcome.

• When: March 8, 9 to 11 a.m. (Rain date: March 15)
• Where: Meet at Walgreens parking lot, 10671 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas
• Supplies: Gloves, safety vests, trash bags, and grabbers will be provided
• Sign up: Click here

CASA Volunteers Needed to Support Children
CASA CIS is seeking volunteers, age 21 and older, to advocate for abused and neglected children.

• Virtual information session: February 26, 6 to 7 p.m.
• Contact: Email jpo…@casacis.org or call 703.330.8145 for the meeting link or alternate dates

Family-Friendly Day of Service
Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project is hosting a family-friendly Day of Service. Volunteers will help pack and sort food donations.

• When: March 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: St. Lucy Food Warehouse, 8426 Kao Circle, Manassas
• Requirements: Closed-toed shoes, ability to lift heavy items. Parental consent forms required for minors.
• Sign up: Click here
• Contact: Email Ian…[email protected] or call 703.349.0974

Sewing Volunteers Needed for Uniform Repair
USO Quantico Main is hosting a uniform repair event, seeking volunteers skilled in sewing to assist with minor uniform repairs for active-duty Marines.

• When: February 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: USO Quantico Main, 3049 Bordelon Street, Marine Corps Base Quantico
• Bring: Sewing machine and basic stitching supplies
• Sign up: Click here
• Contact: Email hsul…@uso.org for more information

Volunteer at Willing Warriors Retreat
Willing Warriors in Haymarket is looking for volunteers to support their mission of providing free retreat stays and programs for wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and their families. Opportunities include administrative support, event assistance, fundraising, and more.

• Contact: Email volu…@willingwarriors.org

Provide Meals for the Homeless
Streetlight Community Outreach Ministries is seeking groups to prepare and drop off meals for 30 adult residents at its hypothermia shelter.

• When: Nightly through March 31. Meals should be dropped off between 6:30 and 7 p.m.
• Where: Streetlight Hypothermia Shelter, 14716 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge
• Sign up: Click here
• Contact: Email thermal…@thestreetlight.org or call 571.677.2883

More Opportunities
If you are looking for additional ways to volunteer, contact Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292 or visit www.volunteerprincewilliam.org.

Thank you for making a difference in the community.

In the wake of recent terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command has directed all military installations to implement heightened security measures immediately, according to officials at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

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Domino's stores in Greater Woodbridge are partnering with Ghostbusters Virginia to collect Toys for Tots until Dec. 8, offering a large one-topping pizza for $6 in exchange for toy donations. Customers can drop off new, unwrapped toys at participating Domino’s locations in the region to support the holiday initiative.

Press Release:

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Marine Corps Base Quantico has announced a series of live-fire training exercises scheduled from August 26 to August 30.

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Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R) revealed reports of two additional intrusions at Quantico Marine Corps Base following the arrests of two men from Jordan who were in the U.S. illegally. Potomac Local News broke the story and told you the men were arrested after allegedly posing as Amazon delivery drivers and ramming the front gate of the military installation on May 3, 2023.

Durant said the additional incursions occurred on May 3, the same day two Jordanian nationals in the U.S. illegally posed as Amazon delivery men. “I heard about it from somebody I know who works at Quantico, and he first alerted me to the first breach,” said Durant. “He has since alerted me that there have been two more breaches that occurred on the same day. I don’t think that’s come out yet.”

The two men from Jordan, Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous, attended their first hearing on July 22 at the Alexandria courthouse. Both men, accompanied by an Arabic translator, were charged with Class B misdemeanors for allegedly trespassing on a military facility, charges which carry up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The judge supported conditions for release, and both men have been released, with their next hearings scheduled for September.

On May 22, Governor Glenn Youngkin penned a letter to President Joseph Biden requesting a full briefing about the incident. This request came 20 days after the breach and 12 days after Potomac Local broke the news of the attack. The governor has provided no new information following this request.

Durant mentioned her efforts to obtain more information about these breaches. “I connected him [Attorney General Jason Miyares], who was just so frustrated because there are a lot more attempts at breaches that are happening, and I don’t think that it’s out in the public sphere, and it should be.”

Potomac Local broke the story of the initial intrusion at Quantico, which followed days of pressing officials for information. Sources tell us one of the men is on the FBI terror watch list, something federal officials have not confirmed or denied. When asked about the terror watch list angle, Durant stated, “I’m hearing the same information, but I think we need to find out a lot more about these other attempted breaches. Are they testing to see where the weak points are and setting the stage for something that’s more nefarious?”

Quantico officials have not responded to a request to comment on this story.

Durant expressed support for Governor Youngkin’s request for answers: “I am grateful for it, and I encourage it. We need to get answers for it. I can’t confirm that I know any more about that type of information, but I certainly intend to keep pushing to find out more.”

The Quantico Train Station’s new construction will be completed by early 2025 and will feature a pedestrian bridge and extended platforms to improve transit efficiency and safety for the 6,000 daily passengers.

Press release

The Quantico Train Station’s new construction is scheduled to be completed before the start of 2025, improving the transit efficiency and commuter experience for the 6,000 daily passengers who use and pass through the station.

The improvements include a pedestrian bridge that sits above the tracks, leading pedestrians to all three platforms, which are also to be extended.
“It will be nice when they get it all done, and we don’t have to wait anymore at the crosswalk for trains coming through,” said George Ramsey, a MCCS Quantico Marine Corps Community Services employee on MCBQ and frequent train passenger. “There are many, many, many times I remember getting stuck on one side or the other because of a train you weren’t expecting to come through while waiting for a train.”

Virginia Railway Express Chief Engineer Dallas Richards explained many of its new features and how it will improve the safety for commuters and pedestrians.
“The bridge includes three staircases and three elevators which will help commuters get to all three platforms safely,” said Richards, and emphasized that “both extended platforms will allow commuters to board and deboard all eight passenger cars at the same time, which will be much safer and efficient.”
The project will also add a third track, improving the fluidity between the different organizations.

Originally built in 1953, the Quantico Train Station was totally renovated by the VRE in April of 2005, and these new renovations mark the largest change to alleviate commuter congestion.

“The third track reduces delays and will give VRE, Amtrak and freight rail, the capability of using all three tracks to limit congestion,” said Brett Sanders, the CSX lead engineer.

From the start, he mentioned, the success of the project couldn’t have happened without everyone working together.

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on August 22. The concert will start at 7 p.m. in the museum’s outdoor plaza.

The band, the premier band of the United States Marine Corps, will play various music. This includes patriotic and martial favorites, selections from the wind band repertoire, works by contemporary composers, and scores from film and theatre.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. The Museum, Medal of Honor Theater, Rifle Range, and Museum Store will stay open for extended hours until the concert starts. Tun Tavern will offer service from 4 to 6 p.m., and outdoor concessions will be available during the performance. Admission and parking are free, and no tickets are required.

Updates will be posted on the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Facebook page in bad weather.

Event Details:
– When:Thursday, August 22, 7:00 p.m.
– Where: National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA 22172

About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation:
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, established in 1979, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Marine Corps history. The Foundation supports historical programs of the Marine Corps through grants, scholarships, and the renovation, restoration, and commissioning of historical Marine Corps artifacts and landmarks. The Foundation funded the construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center and continues to expand its programs. More information can be found at MarineHeritage.org.

Almost three months after two men in a box truck attempted to illegally access Marine Corps Base Quantico, the names of the two suspects have been obtained.

Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous attended their first hearing July 22 at the Alexandria courthouse. Both men, accompanied by an Arabic translator, were charged with Class B misdemeanors for allegedly trespassing on a military facility on May 3, charges which carry up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The judge supported conditions for release, and both men have been released with their next hearings in September. They both requested a court-appointed attorney.

“The Department of Justice, Department of Defense, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the FBI all circled wagons to guard even the identities of the two Jordanians against five written congressional inquiries, a sixth by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin seeking government briefings about the incident, and most recently a subpoena by the Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,” reports Todd Bensman with Center for Immigration Studies.  Read more here.