The Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact for Military Children awarded five Stafford County Public Schools with 2022 Purple Star Designation; Margaret Brent Elementary and North Stafford High School for the first time, Rockhill, Widewater, and Winding Creek elementary schools for the second time.

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Alex Trouteaud, 42, from Barnesville, Md. finished in first place with a time of 1:04:14, today in the Marine Corps 17.75K marathon. 

More than 1,900 runners from 37 states and five countries completed the live and in-person at Prince William Forest Park near Dumfries. Each live finisher, who will be 14 years old and up on marathon event day, received Access Granted into the 47th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) on October 30, 2022.

“You know, I just raced a marathon three weeks ago so this was tough. The hills were grueling there at the end, but it was a beautiful day with great folks,” said Trouteaud. “It’s a wonderful race as everyone is so supportive, and the Marines are really special here. It’s just an honor to be out here.”

Finishing in second with a time of 1:05:07 was Jonathan Ladson, age 30, from Dale City, Va., and rounding out the top three male finishers was Noah Kilgore, age 18, from Jonesboro, Ga. coming in at 1:06:55.

Leading the female finishers was Amanda Beucler, 27, from Medford, Mass., with a time of 1:15:06. “I was trying to go for a course record today, but then I got allergies. So, I thought we would just see what happens today,” said Beucler. “It was fun. It was a good course. This was my last turn up before Boston.” Beuler won Marine Corps Marathon Organization’s Quantico 12K in 2021 with a course record.

Coming in as the second place female was Gabrielle McKenzie, 31, from Arlington, Va. followed by Vicki Mitchell, 41, from Novi, Mich. Their times were 1:16:37 and 1:22:12, respectfully.

Unofficial results are available at marinemarathon.com.

Additional event highlights include:

• This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event.
• Potomac District Supervisor, The Honorable Andrea Bailey served as the ceremonial starter. Supervisor Bailey has been in office since 2019. Prince William Forest Park sits in her district.
• Other officials in attendance include Colonel Michael L. Brooks, commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico and Derrick Wood, mayor of Dumfries.

The 11.03 mile event, which commemorates the founding year of the United States Marine Corps, returned to Prince William Forest Park after running aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico in 2021. The event was canceled in 2020.

Over 450 runners across the United States and 7 countries are also registered to complete the 17.75K distance virtually. Participants in both the in-person and virtual events received a specially designed technical shirt, finisher medal and more.

Runners have the opportunity to #RunWithTheMarines again on May 22 as part of the Marine Corps Historic Half Weekend in Fredericksburg, Va. 

The Marine Corps 17.75K is hosted annually at Prince William Forest Park to commemorate the founding year of the United States Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation announced the recipients of the Foundation’s 2022 Annual Awards. The recipients will be honored at the Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner on April 30 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Among the award winners are former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, winner of the Lejeune Recognition for Exemplary Leadership Award; Vice-Chairman of the MCHF Foundation Paul Kalsbeek, winner of the Heritage Award for outstanding support of Foundation’s mission and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Bing West, winner of the James Webb Award for his book “The Last Platoon: A Novel of the Afghanistan War.”

Award winners are recognized for their outstanding portrayal of Marine Corps history, traditions and culture in a broad range of fields, including photography, documentaries, journalism, poetry, nonfiction and fiction writing.

“The Foundation’s Annual Awards are a mark of distinction for professionals and talented artists who dedicate themselves to exploring the rich history, traditions, and culture of the Marine Corps with accuracy and authenticity,” said Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, USMC (Ret), president and CEO of the Foundation. “We hope this recognition shines a light on the work of our winners and inspires others to tell the story of our Marine Corps.”

The Annual Awards are judged by accomplished Marines and civilian experts.

Each winner receives a gold medallion, a commemorative brick along the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park pathway adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps and for some awards, a cash prize.

• Lejeune Recognition for Exemplary Leadership Award
  Condoleezza Rice
• Heritage Award (outstanding support of Foundation’s mission)
  Paul Kalsbeek
• The Colonel Joseph Alexander Award (biography or autobiography)
  Jane Waterhouse for “Valor in Action: The Medal of Honor Paintings of Colonel Charles Waterhouse”
• The Master Sergeant Tom Bartlett Award (feature writing by an enlisted Marine)
  Gunnery Sergeant Brian Knowles, USMCR for “James Ayling: From Immigrant to a Founding Member of the Marine Corps Reserve”
• The Sergeant Major Dan Daly Award (photography – album)
  David P. Gilkey (post-humously) for “Pictures on the Radio: The Work of NPR Photojournalist David P. Gilkey”
• The Robert A. Gannon Award (poetry)
  Michael Closz for “The Haunted Garden”
• The General Roy S. Geiger Award (published aviation article)
  Patrick Reed for “Guadalcanal Fighter Pilot”
• The Major Norman Hatch Award (feature documentary)
  David Harl and Colonel Bill Davis for “Tomorrow’s Leaders”
• The Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr. Award (feature writing)
  James P. Gregory Jr. for “A Calamity of Errors: The Untold Story of the 5th Regiment at Blanc Mont Ridge on October 4 1918”
• The Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal Award (single photo)
  Tia Dufour for “Behind the Scenes”
• The Major Megan McClung Award (reporting by an individual covering U.S. Marines abroad)
  Elliott Woods, Tommy Andres and Maria Byrne for “Third Squad: After Afghanistan”
• The Eugene Sledge Award (memoir)
  Frank “Gus” Biggio for “The Wolves of Helmand”
• The General Oliver P. Smith Award (local news reporting)
  Erika I. Ritchie for “Most Influential: After a military death, this Garden Grove woman honors the fallen”
• The Colonel John W. Thomason, Jr. Award (combat art)
  Craig H. Streeter, Colonel USMC (Retired) for “Taxis and Terror in An Nasiriyah”
• The James Webb Award (fiction)
  Bing West for “The Last Platoon: A Novel of the Afghanistan War”

Previous winners include best-selling authors, celebrated novelists, national columnists, network producers, and active duty Marines with extraordinary talent. The Foundation honors their work in recognition of the difficulty and importance of accurately telling the Marine Corps story. Many past recipients have put themselves in harm’s way to witness first-hand the dangerous work of Marines operating in the world’s most remote locations.

Fairfax County officials just launched a tourism plan that could impact commerce in Prince William County in an indirect way, solidifying the global economics theory on a smaller scale.

While there is a river boundary between the two counties, the main elements in Fairfax County’s plan are within easy access to key river crossings, making it an easy trip if taken during the right time of day.

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FORT BELVOIR — The National Museum of the United States Army is now accepting applications for volunteers to provide visitor support when the Museum is open.

Ms. Zelpha Anderson, Chief of the Visitor Services Division, says she is looking for individuals who are passionate about the U.S. Army and sharing the stories of the men and women who have worn the Army uniform throughout our nation’s history.

There will be a variety of volunteer opportunities, such as visitor services, special events, tours, education, outdoor activities, and administration.

Through the application process, interested volunteers will have the opportunity to share their skills, interests, and abilities to help match them to a volunteer position.

The Museum anticipates approximately 750,000 visitors annually and will be open every day of the year except Dec. 25.

“The Museum will be a premier travel destination and will offer an assortment of programs and events in addition to touring the historic galleries, and we will need a robust volunteer force to ensure an outstanding visitor experience,” said Anderson.

Anderson says her goal is to gather a group of 300 volunteers who are trained and ready for the Museum’s opening in 2020.

The volunteer application is available now; interviews will begin late this summer, and training will begin in the fall.

The Museum staff also has a goal of developing a volunteer corps that will reflect the diversity of the Army and of their visitors and encourages all to apply.

“You don’t need a specific degree or work experience to be a volunteer,” emphasized Anderson. “What we need is you.”

To learn more about volunteering at the Museum, or to apply, visit online or call (800) 506-2672.

National Day of Service participants Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia have donated repair services to a Vietnam veteran and his wife. From the press release:

Vietnam Veteran and Wife will Benefit as Locally-Owned Mr. Handyman Franchise Donates Repair Services on Sept.7, 2018

Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia Participating in 2018 National Day of Service, Giving Back and Bringing the Community Together

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The Northern Virginia Veterans Association (NOVAVETS) is an organization with a sole purpose of supporting veterans, transitioning military members and their families throughout the Northern Virginia region.  Located in Manassas, VA, the association is a one-stop hands-on non-profit that provides that support at no-cost to the veteran or family member.  Those in need are connected to local community resources that best meet their requirements.  Because of the vast need for services and support, NOVAVETS focuses its efforts on the most vulnerable of veterans and those with extraordinary needs.

Founded in 2015, by Retired Major Angela McConnell (PhD), who is also an expert in health services, NOVAVETS is unique in veterans support by guiding the client through the vast and often confusing network of available resources until the problem or issue is resolved.  Relying on a cadre of support specialists, which include military retirees and health care experts, NOVAVETS utilizes pre-screened and verified service and support partner companies and entities to fill the veteran’s need.  Since its founding, NOVAVETS has assisted hundreds of veterans and family members, ranging from veterans needing mental and other health services, to families facing immediate eviction, to obtaining transportation to a veteran’s doctor appointment, to home and yard care help, to hospice care assistance, and to meeting the recreational needs of the severely injured.  Despite the overwhelming successes achieved in coordinating care and assistance to the veterans, the demand continues to grow.  Relying exclusively on volunteers to fill its ranks of supporting the needs of the association, NOVAVETS is especially in need of executives to oversee and coordinate the organization’s operations.  These positions are ideally suited to retired military members, military spouses, or retired professionals.  Compensation is knowing that one made a difference in a hero’s life.  Contact NOVAVETS at 703-659-0788 or www.novavets.org.

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The Citadel, New York Institute of Technology and University of Scranton have high achievers, according to press releases we received from each institution:

Patrick Ryan of Manassas, VA (20112) was awarded gold stars by The Citadel for achieving a 3.7 grade point average or higher during the 2018 spring semester. Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel’s dean’s list.

And…

Joseph Hargenrader of Bristow was named to NYIT’s Spring 2018 Presidential Honor List. Hargenrader, who is studying Computer Science, was among 867 students named. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.7 or higher.

And…

Alexander Stecco of Manassas was among the 43 University of Scranton students who studied abroad during the Summer 2018 semester. Stecco, a business administration major at Scranton, participated in the University’s Travel Course “Modern Germany History and Culture” in various cities, Germany.