Vice President JD Vance arrived by helicopter at Marine Corps Base Quantico today to meet with Marines at HMX-1, the presidential helicopter squadron, at about 1:30 p.m. — nearly two hours later than scheduled.

Vance addressed the delay head-on during his remarks, joking with the crowd and recalling lessons from his time in the Corps.

“That is not Marine Corps time, my friends,” he said. “I remember Gunny Arledge always told me, if you’re five minutes early, you’re 10 minutes late… What does it mean when the Vice President is two hours late? I guess I’m on time, because who the hell is going to get me in trouble, right?”

He explained that his meeting with the President of the United States ran long, but he prioritized the visit to Quantico.

“I stood up and said, ‘Sir, I know we’re in the middle of something, but the Marines at Quantico are waiting on me.’ And he said, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize that. You’ve got to get out there,’” Vance told the crowd.

The Vice President brought with him a message from the Commander-in-Chief.

“He wanted me to tell you two things,” Vance said. “First of all, that he loves you. And second of all, that he’s proud of you.”

Vance, a former Marine, also shared how his service shaped his life and thanked those stationed at Quantico for their dedication and professionalism.

Quantico Town Mayor Kevin Brown attended the event and was impressed by the Vice President’s words and presence.

“Personally, as I see Vice President Vance at events across the country and abroad, you can definitely recognize the Marine in him,” said Brown. “It’s encouraging to know we have someone in the White House with that pedigree, advising the President.”

Following his remarks, Vance was expected to tour other base parts. Marines in attendance appeared pleased and honored by the Vice President’s visit, said Brown.

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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.

Residents near Quantico Marine Corps Base (MCBQ) should be prepared for smoky conditions today as base officials conduct a controlled burn on the west side of Interstate 95. The burn, managed by MCBQ Forestry and Quantico Fire & Emergency Services, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, February 25.

According to base officials, smoke columns will be visible from the installation and may drift into surrounding areas, depending on changing wind conditions. The controlled burn is part of a regular forestry management effort to reduce wildfire risk and maintain ecological health.

“Quantico foresters closely manage smoke impacts from these burns and ensure the safety of residents both in and around Quantico,” officials stated.

Controlled burns at Quantico typically begin in February and are completed by April 15 each year.

Marine Corps Base Quantico will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, as severe weather has prompted the installation to declare a Code Red operating status. This closure affects all non-essential operations, and only mission-essential personnel are required to report to work. Personnel are advised to contact their chain of command for specific instructions or further guidance.

Marine Corps Base Quantico, often referred to as the “Crossroads of the Marine Corps,” spans over 55,000 acres across Prince William, Stafford, and Fauquier counties in Virginia. The base is a critical hub for Marine Corps training and education, hosting the Marine Corps University, Officer Candidates School, and the FBI Academy. Its facilities and resources serve over 28,000 active duty, reserve, civilian, and contractor personnel, making it one of the most significant military installations in the region.

Base officials are urging residents and personnel to prioritize safety during this weather event. For updates on the base’s status, personnel should stay tuned to official communication channels or consult their leadership.

Further announcements regarding the reopening of the base and any schedule changes will be made as conditions improve, according to a statement from base officials.

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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The National Museum of the Marine Corps is celebrating the holiday season with events including a holiday film series, craft activities, and visits from Santa Claus. Admission, parking, and select activities are free, with full event details available on the Museum’s website at marineheritage.org.

Press release:

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By Sarah Roderick Fitch

(The Center Square) – The cases against two men from Jordan accused of illegally attempting to enter Quantico Marine base have been dismissed.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed motions to dismiss charges filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Oct. 3. A federal judge ordered that the matter be dismissed “without prejudice.”

In earlier court appearances, the Jordanians identified as Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous were released after being charged with misdemeanors stemming from a May 3 incident for attempting to “trespass” on the headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps, home of the FBI Training Academy and the military’s top criminal investigative agencies.

The case garnered national attention, including pleas from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who demanded answers from President Joe Biden’s administration. The duo’s identities were finally disclosed at the end of July following exhausted efforts made by congressional leaders in addition to Youngkin.

Prior to the recent dismissal, the Department of Justice accused the pair of “unlawfully go[ing] upon a military installation for a purpose prohibited by law, to wit: knowingly and intentionally entering Marine Corps Base Quantico,” according to court documents.

During their July court appearance, Hamdan and Dabous were granted release upon condition to appear for “all future court appearances,” including immigration appearances they have “pending.” They were ordered “not further trespass on Marine Corps Base Quantico or any other military installation.”

Potomac Local News first reported the May incident. The pair claimed to be Amazon subcontractors while attempting to enter the base; the truck driver reportedly ignored commands by security officials to wait while officers tried to identify the men, who did not have identification. The driver then “hit the gas” and hit a barricade deployed to stop the truck, according to sources.

The breach has been the focus of multiple congressional investigations into similar incidents reported at various U.S. military installations, demanding answers from the federal government.

Noon update — From Virignia State Police:

At 4:05 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 16), Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 95 at the 146 mile-marker in Stafford County. A Volvo SUV was traveling in the wrong direction on I95 when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet sedan. There was one fatality and two serious injuries as a result of the crash. All southbound travel lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for the investigation and cleanup. VDOT assisted with the roadway closure and detour.

More as we have it.

Update 11 a.m — From VDOT: 

All lanes of Interstate 95 southbound have reopened at mile marker 146 in Stafford County. An earlier vehicle crash has been cleared. The detour at exit 148 (Quantico) has been lifted.

Motorists should expect residual delays on I-95 southbound approaching the exit 148 (Quantico) area and along Route 1 southbound between Russell Road in the Quantico area and Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) in Stafford.

Original post 7:13 a.m. — A vehicle crash early this morning has closed all southbound lanes on Interstate 95 near mile marker 146, just south of exit 148 (Quantico). The crash occurred shortly before dawn, and emergency response crews swiftly closed the highway to address the incident.

Southbound traffic is being diverted at exit 148 onto Route 1 southbound, where motorists can re-enter I-95 at exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville) in Stafford County. To ease congestion on the detour route, traffic signals along Route 1 have been retimed to accommodate the increased volume of vehicles. As of 5:47 a.m., delays on I-95 southbound before exit 148 were one mile.

At 6:52 a.m., officials announced that a single southbound lane would be temporarily opened to allow motorists caught between the crash site and Exit 148 to clear the area. All other traffic remains detoured.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. We will provide updates on the situation as they become available.

Transportation officials held a ribbon cutting for a newly expanded Quantico Station in Virginia with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 1, 2024. The upgraded train station serves Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express customers in the Town of Quantico, now accommodates longer trains, improves accessibility, and adds grade-separated pedestrian access for the adjacent Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ).

Key enhancements include a 550-foot platform extension, a new 840-foot island platform, and three elevator towers connected by pedestrian bridges. STV designed the necessary track improvements and a 714-foot retaining wall to support a third track, minimizing disruptions to MCBQ. This project, part of a long-standing partnership between STV and VRE, reflects collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Amtrak, and CSX Transportation.

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As the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) heads into 2025, its proposed budget reflects its challenges and opportunities in a post-COVID world. The budget discussed at the October 18, 2024, Operations Board meeting outlines plans to support ridership recovery, maintain reliable service, and position VRE for future growth as a regional rail provider.

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