This press release came in from The Citadel, announcing Daniel Yu’s academic achievement:

Daniel Yu of Gainesville, VA (20155) was named to The Citadel’s dean’s list for their academic achievements during the 2018 spring semester.

The dean’s list is a recognition given to cadets and students who are registered for 12 or more semester hours and whose grade point average is 3.20 or higher, with no grade of I (Incomplete) and no grade below C for work in a semester.

About The Citadel

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education profoundly focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction.

Graduates are not required to serve in the military but about one-third of each class commission as officers in every branch of U.S. military service.

Graduates of The Citadel have served the nation, their states and their communities as principled leaders since the college was founded in 1842.

The Citadel Graduate College offers 26 graduate degree programs with 42 concentration options, 25 graduate certificate programs and 10 evening undergraduate programs, through an all-evening schedule with many courses now available online.

The Citadel was named Best Public College in the South by U.S. News & World Report for seven consecutive years, and #1 Best Public College for Veterans in the South as well as Best Value out of all South Carolina colleges and universities by Forbes.

We received this news release from US Army 1st Medical Recruiting Battalion:

Future Army Doctor Vows to Boldly Go Where She is Needed

(Fort Meade, Md.) — On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, US Army’s 1st Medical Recruiting Battalion welcomed its newest doctor into the fold. Shuyan Huang M.D. of Manassas, VA has officially joined the US Army Medical Corps as of Wednesday, August 15, in Washington, DC.

Huang is a board certified anesthesiologist who graduated from New York University. She is currently attending the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.

She chose the Lincoln Memorial as the spot where she wanted to swear in because she believes she can reach her “full potential in the Army and fulfill the true meaning of this country’s creed.” Both she and her husband appreciate the nation that has “brought them together as immigrants” from countries that don’t have the freedoms that America offers, she added. Both of her parents and her husband came to the Mall to support her for the momentous day.

Army Recruiter, Staff Sergeant Stephen Minogue says he was impressed with Dr. Huang from the moment he met her and her family. “I was impressed, not only with her intelligence, but her character as well. Her decision to pursue an active duty career over Army Reserves was noteworthy due to her immense qualifications. Dr. Huang is a patriot and truly wants to give something back to the country that had provided her so many opportunities. Dr. Huang will prove to be a remarkable asset to the U.S. Army Medical Corps.”

She and her husband Yuriy Huang have both decided to join the Army – he as an army cyber direct-commissioned officer, and she as a doctor. When asked why she had chosen to serve in the US Army as a doctor, Huang says, “it’s my second calling.” With all that education and talent, some could wonder why she has chosen the Army as her employer. Huang says she and her husband have an appreciation for the democracy and opportunities that our Nation has already provided them, and they only wish to repay that gift.

They also both admitted to having an interesting affinity for all things Star Trek. Huang even presented the officiant of the ceremony, 1MRBn Executive Officer Major Lauren Hamlin, a portrait of Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway, captain of the Starfleet starship USS Voyager.

With their dedication for their country, each other, and their enlightened principles, the Huangs are slated for an adventure that they both have sought after. They don’t know where it will take them, but they do know that they will be together for it. Huang looks forward to a long and prosperous career in Army Medicine. She will serve in the US Army at the initial rank of captain and expects to move up the ranks quickly.

NORTH STAFFORD — It has become a gathering place for those who come to the crossroads of the Marine Corps. 

Situated outside Quantico Marine Corps Base sits The Globe and Laurel. It’s part restaurant, part cigar lounge, and filled Marine Corps history and pride. 

The iconic tavern celebrated its 50th anniversary on Wednesday with a small gathering of public officials from Stafford County, representatives from the Department of Defense, and friends of the one man who has given life to The Globe and Laurel since its beginnings — retired USMC Maj. Rick Spooner. 

Those who gathered in his dining room honored sung his praises and those of his late wife Gloria. Both opened and operated the Globe and Laurel in 1968 in Quantico, after the Major served 29 years in the Marine Corps fighting in the Pacific during WWII, and then in Korea, and later in Vietnam. 

His wife passed on in 2012, losing a battle with cancer at age 83. The couple was married 60 years. 

Today, Spooner, still a fixture in the restaurant, is said to counsel Marines young and old. They swap stories and talk about doing what’s right for themselves and their country.

“You sit and hold court at your table, and I distinctly remember two Marines… they’re burned into my memory… one of them talked, and the other didn’t say much,” said Stafford County Rockhill District Supervisor Wendy Maurer. “But when they left here I knew they were ready to go be with their family.” 

A fire broke out inside the original Globe and Laurel in Quantico in 1974. The Spooners reopened their eatery in Triangle in Prince William County not long after.

“I still remember your original spot in Q-Town. Thanks for all your support for all the Marines,” said Lt. Col. Eric Reid, as he read aloud a letter to Spooner from Marine Corps Commandant General Robert B. Neller. 

The walls inside the Globe and Laurel are filled with Marine Corps history. Some of it, including the patches on the wall date back to the turn of the 20th century. 

The Globe and Laurel was relocated from Prince William County to Stafford in 2008 when Route 1 was being widened from four to six lanes in Triangle.

Many of Spooner’s friends who came to the anniversary celebration date back, too. 

“I see faces of people I haven’t seen years. Why don’t you come around more often? We could use the business,” joked Spooner. 

 He says his restaurant, known for its customer service, in the next 50 years will be the most successful in Stafford County.

“We’re just getting started,” said Spooner. 

Jesse Jensen of Dumfries didn’t think he’d end up a veteran and business owner, not with the way he started out in life.

Growing up in Michigan in a home rampant with domestic violence, Jensen saw his father, who had a drinking problem, arrested several times.

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A National Guard unit returning from a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan will be making a pit stop at Brew Republic Bierwerks in Woodbridge. Here’s what the general manager has to say:

My name is Scott Melice, I am the general manager here at Brew Republic Bierwerks in Woodbridge, VA. We were forwarded the following article that was recently written about the MD National Guard Unit, https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-national-guard-special-ops-returning-20180125-story.html. We were contacted by the spouse of one of those brave soldiers and asked us if we would be able to host the unit on their way back from deployment. Being a veteran owned business and having one of our private investors also close with those soldiers, we of course were more than happy to accommodate their group.

They will arrive in our taproom on March 4th around 12-1 pm and staying for a couple of hours to relax and recuperate after their deployment.

With every new year come new inventions and discoveries, new risks and areas of opportunities. As even the most private and sensitive areas of our business and personal lives become digitized, new cybersecurity and IT threats arise. IT expert Chris Albright of CMIT Solutions of Centreville considers ransomware, IoT hacking, machine learning, and insufficient IT and cybersecurity to be the largest IT threats of 2018.

Ransomware

Globally, ransomware attacks grew by 56 percent in 2017, with the WannaCry attack being the largest of all time. Ransomware includes any kind of cyberattack in which a business or individual is required to pay a monetary fee in order to regain full access of their computer, breached data or Cloud. There is currently no way around regaining access without paying the ransom — and no guarantee that if you pay, the breached data won’t be compromised once paid. Most ransomware attacks are automated, so it is rare that you currently or will ever be able to determine who is behind your data or computer breach. Payments are often a few hundred dollars paid via cryptocurrency which is extremely difficult to track.

IoT Hacking

There are many personal and professional benefits to creating an in-house Internet of Things (IoT). As convenient as your smart devices or custom network may be, each come with unique IT risks. This goes beyond standard mobile devices to IoT hacks for pacemakers, defibrillators, heart monitors, video cameras and any internet-connected electronic device. This also includes the increased risk for hacking into home or office automation features.

Machine Learning

Intelligent chatbots and machine learning algorithms that get smarter with each interaction create a whole new set of IT threats. This includes the in-depth personal and business data gathered by the artificial intelligence (AI) we implement to boost productivity. For example, Amazon Echo, Siri or Google Assistant can now help us complete a long and growing list of virtual tasks. While AI can be used for a variety of legitimate and productive purposes, it can also be used to help hackers learn how to improve their hacking techniques. On the flipside, AI will be simultaneously used to detect bad bots, malicious AI and machine learning.

Insufficient IT and Cybersecurity

Training, education and a proactive IT and cybersecurity plan is the best way to minimize internal and external risk factors. Unfortunately, few families have an IT plan in place, and businesses with an IT security plan often fail to update the plan with the frequency required to remain secure. With the number of bring your own (BYO) devices, shared devices, internet-connected gadgets and IT threats evolving at a rapid place, it is essential that everyone have an IT plan in place. This includes everything from secure hosting, network security, mobile device management, data and Cloud security, in-house IT policies and procedures, and managed IT services.

The threats above are far from the only IT security concerns you should have your eye on but are some of the greatest IT threats of 2018.

CMIT Solutions of Centreville provides a strategic approach to IT consulting that improves the performance of your business technology in the most cost-effective way possible. Assisting businesses across Northern Virginia, CMIT Centreville can help you achieve the fastest return on your technology investment. Call 703-881-7738 today to see how CMIT Centreville can help your business stay in business.

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From Northern Virginia Community College:

The Woodbridge Campus of Northern Virginia Community College will host a Military Appreciation Day, in honor of those who have and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. With 15 percent of NOVA students classified as veterans or active duty personnel, NOVA's Office of Military and Veterans Services (OMVS) has continuously assisted active duty service members, veterans and family members to achieve their education and career goals.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at NOVA-Woodbridge, 2645 College Drive, Woodbridge.

NOVA will honor guest speaker for the event, Rappahannock County resident Chilton “Chilly” Raiford for his service as a gunner on the USS Randolph in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. While serving his country, Raiford was severely wounded and survived two Kamikaze attacks and remained on the ship until the war ended. At 94, he shares his experiences with veterans and young people.

Representatives will provide information from several local and national organizations including, Post 9/11 Chapter 33, Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Program (MyCAA), Marine Gunnery Sergeant Fry Scholarship, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Wounded Warriors, Vocation Rehabilitation Services (VR&E) and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). College representatives will also provide information about NOVA programs, workforce development and financial aid. NOVA-Woodbridge Military Appreciation Day will be held in the Lakeside Theatre, located on the first floor of the Seefeldt Building (WS). The event is free and open to the public.

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From a press release:

VetPar is pleased to announce the details for the 9th Annual Greater Manassas Veterans Day Parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, November 4th, 2017 at 11:00 am and will honor the US Air Force’s 70th Anniversary. This year’s Grand Marshals are Air Force veterans Ernest Merle Hancock and Steve Krawczyk.

The route will follow Center Street, and pass the reviewing stand at the Harris Pavilion. For more information on the Grand Marshals, parade participation, sponsorship, and advertising information, please visit us at https://www.vetpar.org

STAFFORD — Stafford officials will turn to the federal government to verify the spellings, ranks, and status of the names listed on commemorative bricks at the county’s newly minted veterans memorial.

The move comes after Stafford County attorney Jason Pelt said he found 52 of the over 60 bricks contain errors such as misspelled names, wrong ranks, inaccurate time periods of military service, and some that were wrongly listed as killed in action (KIA).

“While reading the names, I noticed that Musselman, a common Stafford County name, was spelled Mussleman. With very little research I discovered that the brick dedicated to Sgt Norris G. Musselman read Sgt Morris G. Mussleman and listed him KIA during WWII. Further research found a Department of War report listing that Sgt Musselman’s cause of death as DNB (Died Non-Battle) not KIA,” Pelt said.

Pelt began his research after a July visit to the $800,000 memorial located on the grounds of the Stafford County Courthouse and Government Center. The memorial was dedicated to the public on July 15 after a five-year process of developing a working committee to fundraise for the memorial, to choose a design, collect names for commemorative bricks, and oversee construction. Read More