stories of sacrifice and cost - ellington cmsconnection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/...may...
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online at www.connectionnewspapers.com May 29-June 4, 2019
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Postal CustomerECR WSS
Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material.
Requested in home 5-30-19
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PAIDEaston, MDpermit #322
Herndon Festival atNew LocationNews, Page 5
Pride of HerndonHeads to Omaha BeachNews, Page 4
Stories of Sacrifice and Cost
News, Page 3
Donna Pence recites “Memorial Day Prayer,”
written by Rev. John Gundlach as the Invo-cation for the Town of
Herndon’s Memorial Day Ceremony at Chest-
nut Grove Cemetery.
2 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
See Bulletin, Page 7
Submit civic/community announcements atConnectionNewspapers.com/Calendar. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, atleast two weeks before event.
THURSDAY/MAY 30Interfaith Ramadan Dinner. 7:30 p.m.
(registration); 8 p.m. (program starts) at FairfaxCounty Government Center – Cafeteria, 12000Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Join foran Interfaith Ramadan Dinner hosted by FairfaxCounty Chairwoman Sharon Bulova. Call toprayer and dinner are at 8:30 p.m. Register atbit.ly/fxcounty2019.
FRIDAY/MAY 31Open House. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Hunters Woods at
Trails Edge, 2222 Colts Neck Road, Reston.Learn about Hunters Woods at Trails Edge’sstate-of-the-art retirement community nestled ina tranquil wooded setting right next to theTurquoise Nature Trail and Reston CommunityCenter. Come see a retirement community forvibrant living and an active lifestyle. Reception,4-6 p.m.; ribbon cutting, 4:30 p.m. Visitwww.integracare.com/hunters-woods-at-trails-edge.
SATURDAY/JUNE 1Dementia Care Support. 10-11 a.m. at Hunters
Woods at Trails Edge Showroom, 2254B NuntersWoods Plaza, Reston. Dementia Care SupportGroup - 1st Saturday of the month. Distinguishbetween normal aging and dementia,understand different types of dementia, theimpact of changes to the brain and how familycaregivers can best cope with these changes.Free. Call 703-708-4047 or visitwww.integracare.com.
Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group. 2-4p.m. at Mason District Governmental Center,6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. The PeripheralNeuropathy Support Group for greaterWashington meets the first Saturday of themonth. All are welcome. RSVP for available
seating. Call 301-263-0616 or visitwww.dcpnsupport.org for more.
TUESDAY/JUNE 4Professional Networking Breakfast. 8-9:30
a.m. at Sunrise at Reston Town Center, ThirdFloor Activity Room, 1778 Fountain Drive,Reston. Start the day with Sunrise. Enjoy a hotbreakfast, with all the trimmings, while meetingand mingling with colleagues. Meet the Sunriseteam, tour the community, and learn moreabout their services. [email protected] or call Jenat 703-956-8930 for more information and toRSVP.
SATURDAY/JUNE 8Caregiver Workshop. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hollin
Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road,Alexandria. Join this Caregiver Workshop withPete Shrock, nationally known grief and crisisresponder, focusing on building resiliencethrough caregiving challenges. This is a freeevent, and all caregivers and family membersare invited to attend. Lunch will be provided.Visit insightmcc.org, to register or contactLindsey Vajpeyi at 703-204-4664 [email protected].
TUESDAY/JUNE 11Park Authority Summer Jobs. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
at the Herrity Building, 12055 GovernmentCenter Parkway, Fairfax. This year the FairfaxCounty Park Authority’s Rec-PAC summer campprogram will operate at 45 elementary schoollocations around Fairfax County on weekdaysfrom July 1-Aug.8, 8:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m.Applicants are required to bring an originalSocial Security Card and a DMV photo ID. Onlythose who are 18 years of age and older will beconsidered. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec-pac/jobs or [email protected].
Bulletin Board
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
NewsHerndon Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic
703-778-9414 or [email protected]
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
In preparing for today, I realized thatI was able to enjoy a normal weekthanks to the blanket of freedomand liberty that was given to me by
the fallen warriors of the past … Many gavethe ultimate sacrifice. That is why we arehere today. We are here to remember andhonor what they did to keep us a free na-tion,” said Post Commander of The WayneM. Kidwell American Legion Post 184Herndon/Reston David R. Womack.
On Monday, May 27, Post 184 hosted theTown of Herndon’s Memorial Day Cer-emony at Chestnut Grove Cemetery. Follow-ing a welcome by Herndon Vice MayorSheila Olem, Donna Pence gave the Invo-cation. “Though their names may fade withthe passing of generations, may we neverforget what they have done,” Pence readquoting, “Memorial Day Prayer,” written byRev. John Gundlach.
Herndon High Navy Junior ROTC ColorGuard members, Nicole Gonzalez, ElisaCastro, Eleisa Cruz and Ximena Ramirezpresented the Colors, followed by theReston Chorale singing the national an-them.
COMMANDER WOMACK led attendeesin the Pledge of Allegiance and then pro-vided his remarks. Womack said peoplewere there, in a beautiful cemetery on themorning of the unofficial start of summer,to remember and honor what service mem-bers killed in action or who later died frominjuries sustained in action, did to keep theUnited States of America a free nation.
“And that, I think, was one of their big-gest fears. The fear of being forgotten. The
fear of people not remembering the sacri-fice and the cost. Not for the accolades andthe glory. But just to be remembered. Totell the stories of their honorable actions inthe face of the enemy...I see many youngpeople here today. They are from theHerndon High School NJROTC ColorGuard... Or the Troop 1570 Scouts, secur-ing our flags. Or the other young men andwomen in the crowd from all parts of ourcommunity. They are being taught the im-portance of remembering at a young age,which is so commendable. And that is mygeneration’s responsibility. To teach theimportance of this day to the next genera-tion.”
Commander Womack introduced guestspeaker United States Army LieutenantColonel Joseph Elsner. Womack said thatLt. Col. Elsner served as the Community ofAction Branch Chief of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization.
Lt. Col. Elsner said that since the found-
ing of the United States, 1.1 million servicemembers lost their lives in combat. “Cur-rently, less than 1 percent of the popula-tion has served in the Armed Forces. Be-cause of this, there is a growing distancebetween your average American and themilitary. Americans are most likely far re-moved from current conflicts and opera-tions across the globe.”
He said his intent was not to bore thoselistening with statistics or a history lesson.“It does not matter if you are a Soldier,Sailor, Airmen, or Marine, the experiencesthat we share on the battlefield absolutelyembody the statement, Brothers inArms...The experience of combat is some-thing that creates incredible bonds betweenservice members.”
LT. COL. ELSNER shared stories of ser-vice members he knew, beginning with thestory of Army Staff Sgt. Ricky A. Kieffer. “Agood fisherman stationed in Iraq,” he re-
called and added that when it rained there,it poured. “I remember coming out of ourbarrack buildings one day, and there is RickyKieffer, tossing a small weight with his fish-ing pole into one of the large, swimmingpool sized puddles. I asked SSG Kieffer thedumb question, ‘Catching anything?’ Hestated, ‘Just passing the time, Sir. Just pass-ing the time. Besides, need to stay in prac-tice for when I get home.’ A week later, Tues-day, 15 March 2005, while leading his sol-diers, SSG Ricky A. Kieffer, Michigan ArmyNational Guard, attached to the 720th MPBattalion, was shot and killed by a sniperas he was preparing his squad to depart acheckpoint.”
Lt. Col. Elsner told the story of Army Sec-ond Lieutenant Matthew Coutu. “He lookedlike he could bench press a Buick… He lovedthe Army, his unit, and his soldiers. He re-minded us every day that he was commit-ted to being the best and that he took careof his platoon... Second Lieutenant Coutu,2nd Platoon Leader, 64th Military PoliceCompany, was killed in action on 27 June2005 by small arms fire while investigatinga roadside bombing in Baghdad, Iraq.” Lt.Col. Elsner told similar stories of other ser-vice members, and he shared somethingthey all had in common, the same wordsused by their families to describe them:“...great guy, amazing father, true patriot,loyal husband, loved life, very positive”.
“From Normandy to Kandahar,Gettysburg to Fallujah, the faces of the fallenthat we have stood shoulder to shoulderwith in combat will be forever burned intoour heads. To all of our fallen comrades, ifyou are listening up there, we will neverforget the price you paid,” said Lt. Col.Elsner. “Over time, things will change. Wewill find ourselves in different locationsthan our predecessors. Our equipment andour training absolutely have and will con-tinue to change. Other things will neverchange. We will, always, remember thosewho have paid the ultimate sacrifice in de-fense of our great nation,” he said.
Hand over heart and military salute by members of The Wayne M.Kidwell American Legion Post 184 Herndon/Reston while saying thePledge of Allegiance during the 2019 Memorial Day Ceremony at Chest-nut Grove Cemetery in the Town of Herndon.
Young and old attend the Town of Herndon 2019 Memorial Day Cer-emony.
Tell the Stories of Sacrifice and Cost2019 Memorial DayCeremony Town ofHerndon.
During the Monday, May 27, Townof Herndon Memorial Day Cer-emony at Chestnut Grove CemeteryGreat Falls resident and GuestSpeaker United States Army Lieu-tenant Colonel Joseph Elsner, givesremarks.
David R. Womack, Commander ofThe Wayne M. Kidwell AmericanLegion Post 184 Herndon/Reston.says it is his generation’s responsi-bility and that of the Post to teachthe importance of this day to thenext generation.
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4 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
By Mercia Hobson
The Connection
For the first time in 39 years, theHerndon Festival, one of the mostpopular free outdoor festivals in
Northern Virginia, will not be held in thehistoric Downtown District. This year thetime-honored event is sited one block offthe Fairfax County Parkway at 200 SpringStreet on the campus of Northwest Fed-eral Credit Union. Admission to the fes-tival is free with free shuttle buses de-parting regularly from the WorldgateShopping Center and Herndon HighSchool. The Festival runs Thursday, May30 - Sunday, June 2, billed as “New Lo-cation, Same Great Festival.” The Con-nection asked Northwest Federal CreditUnion’s President and CEO Jeff Bentley,and Herndon Parks and Herndon Parksand Recreation Department’s ExecutiveDirector, Cindy Roeder, what was theirtake on the 2019 Herndon Festival.
Roeder explained the change to “NewLocation, Same Great Festival.”
“Our message is that although theHerndon Festival is relocating to theNorthwest Federal Credit Union campus,all of the same cherished elements arecoming with us, rides, games, crafters,children’s hands-on art, food vendors andlocal businesses, plus more than 50 per-formances. And it’s a great thing to havea new partner in Northwest who has al-ready proven a delightful host.”
Bentley said: “The first thing I plan todo is look around and try to absorb all ofthe incredible sights and sounds. I’m sureit will be exciting to see the NorthwestFederal campus buzzing with family fun.Second, my wife and I will probably stopby the Northwest Federal booth rightnext to the carnival to take a few pic-tures with the fun photo backdrops avail-able free for everyone to enjoy. Third, Ithink I’ll grab a cold beverage and a snackfrom one of the amazing food vendors,”
Speaking about performers participat-ing in Festiva, Roeder said, “With morethan 50 performances you will surelyfind a singer or entertainer you reallyenjoy. We are excited about Vertical Ho-rizon closing the show on Sunday after-noon at 4:45 p.m. We also think folkswill like Farewell Angelina, Eve StringsElectrique, China Grove, the DoobieBrothers tribute act and a fun yacht rockgroup called Three Sheets to the Wind.And throughout the day, you might dis-cover someone new on either the Parkwayor Herndon Family Medicine Stage as theyboth offer a full schedule of quality enter-tainers. Check out the schedule atwww.herndonfestival.net/entertainment.
2018 Herndon Festival in the Historic Downtown District.
2019 Herndon FestivalAt New LocationNWFCU to host thefamily-friendly eventat their campus.
Herndon Parks and RecreationDepartment’s Executive DirectorCindy Roeder, and NorthwestFederal Credit Union’s Presidentand CEO Jeff Bentley show off abanner for the 39th annualHerndon Festival to be heldThursday, May 30 - Sunday, June2, 2019, at NWFCU campus, 200Spring Street.
USATF 10K/5KThe 10K/5K Races will be held on Sunday,
June 2 at 7:30 a.m. at the Herndon CommunityCenter. These races are great for all fitness lev-els and ages, very family friendly. The racecourse takes you through historic downtownHerndon. Both the 10K and 5K courses areUSATF certified. Awards are presented to thetop two finishers from each age group from the10 & under, to 70 & over. There is still time toregister. All the details at http://www.herndonfestival.net/10k-5k-races.html.
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Submit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encour-aged.
ONGOINGArt Exhibit: Things That Don’t Have Names.
Through June 22, gallery hours at GreaterReston Arts Center, 12001 Market St., Suite 103,Reston. Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)presents a site-specific sculptural installation byDC-based artist Stephanie J. Williams, whosework explores themes of identity throughomission and inclusion. Visit restonarts.org orcall 703-471-9242.
Golden Age Musical. Through June 23, atNextStop Theatre, 269 Sunset Park Drive,Herndon. From Artistic Director Evan Hoffmanncomes a wildly inventive re-imagining of anAmerican mega-musical as no one has seen itbefore. Singin’ in the Rain has all the magic andglamour of the greatest movie musical evermade. So, when the projector at a super-fanscreening of the film goes up in smoke, the hostssave the day… after all, in theatre, the showmust always go on. $40-55. Visitwww.nextstoptheatre.org/shows/singin-in-the-rain.
Art Exhibit: A Purposeful Manner Towardsa Vague Destination. Through Aug. 27,Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at TheSignature at Reston Town Center, 11850Freedom Drive, Reston. Gallery hours at GreaterReston Arts Center (GRACE) presents APurposeful Manner Towards a VagueDestination, a solo exhibition featuring work bypainter Douglas Moulden. Painter Mouldenexhibits a series of large-scale acrylic on panelpaintings developed from photographs andmemory inspired by exploration of the woodsnear his home. Visit restonarts.org for more.
Mr. Knick Knack! Mondays through September,10:30-11:15 a.m. at Reston Town Square Park.Free performances of heart-centered music forchildren. No performances on Memorial Day orLabor Day. Visit restontowncenter.com/events
Herndon Farmers Market. Thursdays, throughmid-November, 8 a.m-12:30 p.m. in HistoricDowntown Herndon, Lynn Street. Vendors willoffer seasonal plants, produce, baked goods,meats and more; all sold by local growers andproducers. Additional enhancements to themarket include seasonal events andentertainment, including “Farmers’ Market FunDays,” free performances for the whole family.Visit www.herndon-va.gov/FarmersMarket
THURSDAY/MAY 30Dollars and Sense. 7 p.m. at Reston Regional
Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston.Monthly group discussion focuses on businessleaders and markets. Discussing “Freakonomics”by Steven Levitt. The event is free and open tothe public. Call 703-689-2700 or visitlibrarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov.
THURSDAY/MAY 30-SUNDAY/JUNE 2Herndon Festival 2019. At Northwest Federal
Credit Union, 200 Spring St, Herndon.The four-day festival, which is produced by the Town ofHerndon’s Parks and Recreation Departmentwith assistance from area civic organizationsand businesses, will feature entertainment ontwo stages, a carnival, a children’s hands-on artarea, arts & crafts show, business expo, 10K/5Kraces and fitness expo, and an eclectic variety oftop-quality food vendors. Visitwww.herndonfestival.net.
FRIDAY/MAY 31Live Music: Something’s Brewing. 9:30 p.m.-
1:30 a.m. at Kalypso’s Sports Tavern on historicLake Anne in Reston. Bands play inside thesports bar on a dedicated stage. No cover. Visitwww.kalypsossportstavern.com.
SATURDAY/JUNE 1Gardens of Note. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. around Reston.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of notable gardenson The Reston Chorale’s exclusive tour withpop-up performances, beekeeping talks, and theHidden Lane garden party. $22/advance; $25/tour day. [email protected] or visitwww.restonchorale.org for more.
Reston Pride Festival. 2-7 p.m. at Lake AnnePlaza. The Second Annual Reston Pride Festivalwill celebrate and support Greater Reston’sLGBTQ+ community. The festival will feature
choral groups, dancers, performers, speakers –both political leaders and faith leaders – allcoming together to support the LGBTQ+community. In addition, more than 40 LGBTQ+friendly exhibitors. This child-friendly event isfree and open to the public. Visitwww.facebook.com/RestonPride/ for more.
FRIDAY/JUNE 7Grand Opening. 5-8 p.m. at Optimal Motion
Physical Therapy, 950 Herndon Parkway, Suite425, Herndon. Optimal Motion Physical Therapywas created by Secili DeStefano and MattBarnes. They bring a combined 40 years of
experience. The community is invited to join themfor a grand opening celebration. RSVP atwww.optimalmotion-pt.com or call 703-665-1444.
Live Music: The Jones. 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. atKalypso’s Sports Tavern on historic Lake Anne inReston. Bands play inside the sports bar on adedicated stage. No cover. Visitwww.kalypsossportstavern.com.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY/JUNE 7-9Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. Northern Virginia’s
largest community-wide event, the 38 th annualCelebrate Fairfax! Festival, is set to take placeon the grounds of the Fairfax CountyGovernment Center, 12000 Government CenterParkway, Fairfax. The Celebrate Fairfax! Festivalfeatures 25 acres of concerts, family programs,exhibits, carnival rides and nightly fireworks.Among the festival’s highlights are more than120 performances on seven stages, includingBetter Than Ezra and Smash Mouth. Call 703-324-3247 or visit www.celebratefairfax.com.
SUNDAY/JUNE 9“Love Your Body Yoga Festival.” 10 a.m.-5
p.m. at Reston Town Center.11th Annual “Love Your Body Yoga Festival” fat
Reston Town Center. Yoga classes all day, kidsyoga tent, Bhakti music tent, YED wellness talks,and over 80 eco-conscious vendors. This yearwill feature for the first time, DC area non-profitorganizations that include Yoga in theirofferings. ONE Common UNITY is among thenon-profits. Visitwww.loveyourbodyyogafestival.com.
WEDNESDAY/JUNE 12Author Event: Rachel Louise Snyder. 7 p.m.
at Scrawl Books, 11911 Freedom Drive, RestonTown Center. In No Visible Bruises, journalistRachel Louise Snyder gives context for what wedon’t know we’re seeing. Through the stories ofvictims, perpetrators, law enforcement, andreform movements from across the country,Snyder explores the real roots of privateviolence, its far-reaching consequences forsociety, and what it will take to truly address it.Free. Register at eventbrite.com, search ScrawlBooks.
FRIDAY/JUNE 14Live Music: The Vandelays. 9:30 p.m.-1:30
a.m. at Kalypso’s Sports Tavern on historic LakeAnne in Reston. Bands play inside the sports baron a dedicated stage. No cover. Visitwww.kalypsossportstavern.com.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY/JUNE 14-15Taste of Reston. Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11
a.m.-11 p.m. at Reston Town Center. Taste ofReston features the region’s best cuisine, familyactivities, live entertainment and a Wine ‘n Dinesection with cooking demonstrations from localchefs, a Family Fun Zone and free garageparking. Live music will fill the air both dayswith favorites such as Cherry Crush Band, NewBlue Soul, Delta Spur, and Vinyl Rhino. Taste ofReston event admission and parking are free.Food tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24tickets. Advance tickets are on sale online, atwww.RestonTaste.com.
SUNDAY/JUNE 16Sully Antique Car Show. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at
Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way,Chantilly. Take Dad for a stroll down memorylane this Father’s Day with a visit to the AntiqueCar Show at Sully Historic Site. Relive a timewhen chrome was king and V-8 engines ruledthe land. Car show tickets are $10 for adults, $8for seniors, and $6 for children, and will be soldat the gates. Call 703-437-1794.
Entertainment
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
On May 17, 2019, St. Timothy’sPreschool honored their teach-ers with a Teacher Apprecia-
tion Luncheon. Special recognition wentto Cheryl Engley, 40 years of service. Shebegan with St. Timothy in 1979.Engley,who says she enjoys her job more eachyear, taught at the school both when herson attended and later when her grand-daughter attended. Engley finds thatshe’s more patient each year and lovesto listen to her students’ stories.
“Three to five years old is a perfect age.The children are inquisitive, they have
wonderful stories to share, and they’revery loving. My goal is that the childrenlove coming to school,” said Engley.
Joyce Burd, 20 years of service and along-time resident of Herndon, also en-joys her job after all these years. “I havehad the privilege to teach at St. Timothy’sfor 20 years. I am always happy to cometo work. Sadly, many people can’t saythat. The people I work with are family.We work together to help these youngchildren have a great beginning to theireducation. I am truly blessed,” she said.
Also honored were Nora Saint Arnoldand Ann Chladon for 10 years of service.“The staff’s long-term commitment to ourschool is a true testament to the lovingatmosphere that we cultivate. Oncepeople come here, they don’t want to goanywhere else,” said Director MonicaDespins.
From left, CherylEngley - 40 years of
service, Ann Chladon -10 years of service,
Joyce Burd- 20 yearsof service and Nora
Saint Arnold - 10years of service cel-
ebrate and toast theirlong-standing teach-
ing commitment at St.Timothy’s Preschool
in Herndon.
The Privilege to TeachSt. Timothy’s Pre-school in Herndonrecognizes teachers.
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In less than a month, thePride of Herndon MarchingBand will stand on theshores of Omaha Beach in
Normandy, France, to play at the75th anniversary of D-Day, one ofonly 10 performing groups in theUnited States given this privilege.
This past Friday, members of themarching band were pepperedthroughout the three bands andfour ensembles that played at theHerndon High School Spring Con-cert, and members of the Herndoncommunity were treated to a fes-tival of jazz, classical, hymns anda rousing closing march.
Highlights of the show includeda guest appearance by BuddyDeshler, a professional musicianwho once played for HerndonBand Director Kathleen Jacoby.
Deshler dazzled the crowd in Gale,a piece written specifically for him,ably backed by the Herndon Sym-phonic Winds. Band parent Mar-garet Jamborsky, who has dedi-
cated close to two years of re-search on members of the U.S.SHerndon, was awarded the Com-munity Builder Award from theHerndon Masonic Lodge for her
Ensemble’s guest conductor, Colo-nel Arnald Gabriel. Col. Gabriel,who commanded the internation-ally renowned U.S. Air Force Band,Symphony Orchestra, and SingingSergeants from 1964 to 1985, tookthe stage to a rousing standingovation, then led the band in theHymn to the Fallen, while imagesof the soldiers from the U.S.SHerndon played across the audi-torium wall. Incredibly, Col.Gabriel also was a 19-year-oldgunnery sergeant at the D-DayInvasion.
The concert ended with Col.Gabriel conducting the Wind En-semble in the Salute to the ArmedForces, while members of the au-dience stood as the portion of thesong representing their branch ofthe military was played.
This year, on June 6, pause for amoment, and think of the thou-sands of people who sacrificedtheir lives that day, and the stu-dents of Herndon High represent-ing the Herndon communitythrough the marching band, andremember the Herndon motto, “Inour past lies the hope of our fu-ture.”
— Lynne Cuppernull
Pride of Herndon Heads to Omaha BeachHerndon HighMarching Bandto perform at the75th anniversaryof the D-Day.
Herndon Band Director Kathleen Jacoby with Col. Arnald Gabriel
service in making the Herndoncommunity a better place.
The crowd rose to its feet asJacoby announced the final twonumbers, and the Herndon Wind
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6 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
McLean Rotary President Gene Durman and mem-ber Jan Auerbach attended the Literacy Council ofNorthern Virginia Board Meeting on May 20 to presenta check for $1250 which coupled with another check
McLean Rotary Provides Funding forLiteracy Council of Northern Virginia
for $1250 earlier in the year was a grant to support aclass which is conducted onsite in cooperation withDoubletree Hilton of Tysons to improve the English ofthe hotel’s banquet and housekeeping employees.
Board members Bo Davis, Carol Ashworth, Jean Ku, Anupam Kumar (LCNV BoardPresident), Gene Durman (Rotary), Paul Byrne, Jan Auerbach (Rotary), John Thomas(in back) and Michael Gavin.
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Assistance League® of Northern Virginia, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, held its annualSpring Fundraiser on April 26 at the Country Clubof Fairfax to raise funds for its programs that servethe needs of low-income children in 11 Title I el-ementary schools in Fairfax and Prince William Coun-ties and the City of Alexandria. During the pre-lun-cheon reception, the 145 guests in attendance hadan opportunity to bid on an array of silent auctionitems donated by local businesses.
Kathryn Jackson, president of the Northern Vir-ginia chapter of Assistance League, emceed the eventand described the positive impact the organization’songoing programs, including Weekend Food for Kids,New Clothing for Kids, Literacy for Kids and HugsPillows, have in the community. Attendees weretreated to a slide show that provided a visual por-trayal of the nonprofit’s programs and activities.
During the current school year, Weekend Food forKids will deliver 18,000 bags of nonperishable fooditems to students at risk of hunger to take home onweekends when school meals are not available. TheNew Clothing for Kids initiative provides essentialclothing items, and personal grooming products toimprove the well-being of students, and layettes tohelp new mothers in need. Literacy for Kids deliversindividualized tutoring to first graders and suppliesbooks to support summer school reading programs,in addition to providing books to allow individualstudents to build their home libraries. Hugs Pillowsdistributes hand-made pillows to comfort childrenundergoing treatment at a local clinic.
Key sponsors of the charity luncheon were recog-nized for their support: Quadrant, Inc., Panda Stone-wall, Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Founda-tion, Marines Plumbing, and Spine Care of ManassasChiropractic Center. Several partners that have pro-
vided support for the organization’s food program,including Dominion Energy, Allstate, Intelsat andSandy Spring Bank, also received praise. A specialthank-you was extended to principals and other rep-resentatives from the schools served.
For the ninth year, Auctioneer Daniel Sanders, withFour Sales Ltd., donated his services to help raisefunds during the live auction and special appeal seg-ment of the program. Two luxury South African PhotoSafari packages were just some of the items avail-able for bid this year.
Christopher Baity, a veteran Marine Corps dogtrainer and Founder and Executive Director of Sem-per K9 Assistance Dogs, delivered the keynote address.
For further information, visit: www.alnv.org.
Assistance League of Northern Virginia:Fundraising to Support Low-Income Children
Kathryn Jackson, president of the North-ern Virginia chapter of Assistance League,emceed the event.
Photo contributed
Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
From Page 2
Bulletin
FRIDAY/JUNE 14Application Deadline: Fire Academy. The
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Departmentisnow accepting applications for its Girls Fire andRescue Academy summer camp, which will takeplace July 11-13, 2019. The Academy is open tofemale students who will be in grades 7-12 inthe upcoming 2019-2020 school year.Participants must be a Fairfax County resident.Free. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems.
SUPPORT GROUPSParent Support Partners, a service of the
Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative, are all parentswho have received training and are qualitied tooffer education, support and assistance at nocost to families or caregivers. They providereliable information that families can use indecision-making and are familiar with servicesand resources that can help families in distress.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax or www.nami-northernvirginia.org/parent-peer-support.html.
ONGOINGAssistance League of Northern Virginia, a
volunteer nonprofit, invites community membersto join the organization to participate in itsReading Express program. Volunteers provideone-on-one tutoring to first grade studentsduring the school year. To learn more contactVP Membership Mary Gronlund [email protected] or Program Coordinator LynnBarron at [email protected].
STEM Professionals Needed. Help assist K-12STEM teachers as part of the AmericanAssociation for the Advancement of Science’sSTEM Volunteer Program, stemvolunteers.org,during the 2018-19 school year. In the 2017-18school year, there are 85 volunteers in sixNorthern Virginia school districts. Contact DonRea at 571-551- 2488, or [email protected].
Volunteer Adult Mentors Needed. Help assistthe Department of Family Services’ BeFriendA-Child mentoring program. The mentors provideopportunities for companionship, guidance andsupport to children who have been abused andneglected, or who are at risk of abuse andneglect. Contact Ibrahim Khalil [email protected] or 703-324-4547.
Herndon High School Library needsvolunteers. Training available to help with re-shelving books, pulling books for teacher use,helping to check passes, or other specialprojects. To learn more, [email protected].
RSVP, a volunteer network for seniors seekingservice opportunities in and around FairfaxCounty, Arlington County and the City ofAlexandria, offers a wide array of opportunitiesfor volunteers 55 and older. RSVP volunteersenjoy flexible schedules, free accident andliability insurance while serving, optionalmileage and meal reimbursement and areinvited to volunteer group projects and socialgatherings. To sign up for an upcomingorientation, email Carly Hubicki [email protected] or call RSVP at703-403- 5360. To learn more about RSVP, visitwww.rsvpnova.org.
Sunrise at Reston Town Center offers amonthly Caregiver Support Group on the fourthWednesday of the month, 6:30-8 p.m. Monthlysupport group offers a safe place for familycaregivers, to meet and develop a mutualsupport system and to exchange practicalinformation and possible solutions. Learn aboutresources available in the community and howto manage caregiver related stress. Call 703-956- 8930 or [email protected] to RSVP.
Exercise for Parkinson’s. Every Monday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. Reston Sport&Health, 11445 IsaacNewton Square, Reston.
This program brings together people impacted byParkinson’s Disease to participate in variousphysical exercises aimed at improving posture,balance and circulation and increasing strength,muscle control and mobility. Free.parkinsonfoundation.org. Call Natalie [email protected] 703-904-7600 formore.
Master Gardener Training. The Fairfax CountyMaster Gardener Association offers plant clinics,home turf training or speakers for homeowner’smeetings. Fees vary. Visit fairfaxgardening.orgor call MG Help Desk at 703-324-8556 for more.
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
All’s well that ends well. -
nally ended and I am here to write that my warran-ty has been extended for another two months. The CT scan showed no tumor growth or movement. The “promise” of immunotherapy so far is keeping its ‘promise’ – keeping the tumors stable.
Throughout my extremely fortunate cancer experience, I have felt reasonably well and manifested few symptoms/side effects; at least the kind of symptoms/side effects: shortness of breath, coughing, expectorating blood, mind-numbing neuropathy and headaches, among others, about which my oncologist regularly inquires.
Generally speaking then, my health status has always been about the tale of the tape – to invoke a boxing reference – meaning the diagnostic scans: brain MRI, CT scan of the neck/lower abdomen, PET scan and the initial X-Ray which started the
so to speak.It is not until my oncologist shares/summarizes
us the actual computer images themselves, that yours truly/Team Lourie knows where we stand.
And, where we stand typically is where we are sitting, in a cramped exam room, face to face with the man who holds my life in the palm of his hand
and the gesture/body language he exhibits. It’s not exactly “Bath Fitter,” but “the reveal” is imminent.
It never gets easy, but it does get easier to en-dure this kind of potentially life-altering/life-ending moment. Though the familiarity of it hasn’t dulled the pain, it has enabled us to balance the pros and cons, up and downs and all-arounds, as we antici-pate the words we are about to hear.
During most of these post-scan visits, we’ve exhaled in relief, but we have had our share of disappointment.
On one occasion, back in late July 2013, I was hospitalized for a week when my lungs accumu-
internal problems (lung collapsing). Externally, I was unable to speak more than a
few words before needing to regroup. As a matter of humorous fact, when my long-time oncology nurse, Ron, saw me that infusion day, he thought I “was a goner,” since my oxygen level was so low.
Within a few hours, I was a ‘goner’ in an ambu-lance to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md. where I was eventually admitted. Two days later, a thoracic surgeon operated, and a day or two after
As a result, in my head and in my gut, (though I’m no Jethro Gibbs from NCIS), when I show up for my infusions and for my post-scan appoint-ments, there’s always a part of me that thinks I might not be spending that evening in my own bed.
When you’re a cancer patient/survivor, and this kind of whisking off not to Buffalo but instead to
happened once, it’s only a matter of time (it’s im-possible not to believe it’s inevitable when you’ve been staged a IV) before it will happen again. I’m not being negative, I’m just saying.
As we sit and wait at home for my oncologist to email us the scan results, or whether we sit and wait in the on-site exam room, I wouldn’t say our respective lives pass before us, but I will certainly admit to the total unpleasantness of it.
That being said, we’re the lucky ones. There are nearly 160,000 lung cancer patients who succumb to this terrible disease every year who aren’t nearly so lucky.
So when I hear the words “stable” from my on-cologist, I am humbled as much as I am relieved,
my next scan is scheduled and my next fortnight is fought.
And that’s how I live my life: in increments. Increments which I’m grateful to have. It may not be ideal, but it’s a living, and it sure beats a dying.
The WeakThat Was
8 ❖ Oak Hill/Herndon Connection ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
By Supervisor
John C. Cook
Braddock District
The last month ofSenior year inhigh school isan exciting time
for students and their fami-lies. Our children are moving on to a new stagein life after four years of hard work and inten-sive studies. When one considers the caliberof our schools, graduation is an even moreimpressive milestone.Amidst these great achievements, I urge par-ents to talk to their teens about the dangers ofalcohol and to prohibit teens drinking in theirown homes.
The Fairfax County Police Department willarrest parents who knowingly host teen par-
ties with alcohol. This may seem harsh to some,but this is a public safety issue. Teens are notyet ready to make good choices about alcohol.When adults serve it to them they send thewrong message and encourage the wrongchoices.
It is no secret that teen drinking is wroughtwith dangerous consequences. Since teens whodrink are more likely to binge drink, they arealso more likely to make poor choices, such asdrunk driving. In fact, the National HighwayTraffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA)reports that every year hundreds of youngpeople get behind the wheel intoxicated andcause deadly accidents: 648 people aged 16-20 were involved in a fatal accident with a BAChigher than .08 in 2017. Furthermore, teendrinking can also lead to sexual assaults andother crimes.
I cannot remember one year without hear-
ing of a tragic local teen death caused by drunkdriving. It is up to us as parents to do every-thing we can to encourage smart choices andsafe celebration. That starts with clearly set-ting the boundary with your children that noalcohol will be served at any parties your fam-ily is hosting.
This is a community wide problem and willrequire community support. If you suspectthere is underage drinking happening in yourneighborhood, you can call the West Spring-field Police Station at 703-644-7377 (or yourDistrict station).
Graduation season should be a time of merrymaking, reveling, and kudos for all the hardwork our children have done. It should notinclude jail cells, ambulances, or coffins. Pleasejoin me in promoting a safe environment inour community by keeping alcohol out of teenparties.
Help the Class of 2019 Celebrate Graduation Safely
By Kenneth
R. “Ken” Plum
State Delegate (D-36)
Before we tear off theremaining couple ofpages on the May
calendar, I want to addressthe important recognitionof May as Mental Health Awareness Month.While Virginia is credited with having the firstmental health hospital, or asylum as they were
called in the eighteenthcentury, the Common-wealth has had difficulty inrecent times coming to
grips with the enormity of the need and theprovision of funds to respond to those needs.In fact Virginia is ranked 40th in the nation inmental health care according to the results ofa national study of the issue. It took a statesenator’s mentally ill son attacking his fatherwith a knife to shock the state to greater ac-tion. That father now chairs the Joint Subcom-mittee on Mental Health Services in the 21st
Century, or the Deeds Commission, that in-cludes Senator Janet Howell as a member andhas made critically important recommenda-
tions on which the state has made significantprogress.
A special thanks goes to the The Common-wealth Institute(thecommonwealthinstitute.org) for docu-menting recent progress and remaining oppor-tunities in behavioral health in a recent edi-tion of The Half Sheet. The Institute which isa nonprofit organization focusing mostly onhuman service needs used the term “behav-ioral health” to be more comprehensive than“mental health” to include mental health ser-vices and supports such as substance abusetreatment. The Institute recognized accom-plishments this past year to include a 21 per-cent increase in Medicaid reimbursement toencourage more licensed mental health pro-fessionals to accept Medicaid thus increasingaccess to services for people with low income.Additional funding for emergency opioid kitswill expand the access to and availability ofNaloxone which is used to reverse the effectsof an opioid overdose. The General Assemblyalso passed and the Governor signed my billto expand the health care providers authorizedto dispense Naloxone to make it more readilyavailable.
Increased funding was provided to increase
staffing at state mental health facilities thatare struggling to keep up with demand. Fund-ing was also approved to replace the agingmental health facility Central State Hospital.In addition, monies have been made availablefor transportation of persons needing mentalhealth hospitalization from having to be trans-ported by law enforcement.
The Department of Behavioral Health andDevelopmental Services indicates that there isa need for 5,000 permanent housing units forthose who need supportive housing in the state.This year’s funding along with an increase lastyear will provide 1,300 units of supportivehousing. Obviously, there is a severe need todo more in this area with a price tag of about$47 million.
Challenges remain to be addressed in pro-viding greater access to programs and servicesfor those who live in rural areas and to thosewho have experienced the trauma of havingbeen exposed to the immigration and refugeesystem. A task force is looking at ways to in-crease the number of mental health profession-als in the state.
Our awareness of mental health needs can-not end with the month of May. More needs tobe done!
Mental Health Awareness Month
Commentary
To the Editor:Regarding The Connection’s re-
cent article on healthdisparities in Virginia (March
25, 2019, “Report Shows Geo-graphic Disparities in Health inVirginia,”) I want to highlight an-other threat to care in our region:the Health Insurance Tax.
As a senior who depends onMedicare Advantage for affordablehealth care to help manage debili-tating chronic migraines and backpain, I am appalled by the lack ofcongressional action on the HealthInsurance Tax (HIT).
Medicare Advantage coverage
has helped me get my life and myhealth back, but the HIT is noth-ing short of an attack on seniors.It would raise annual costs formore than 22 million MedicareAdvantage beneficiaries by asmuch as $241 per person annually,imposing a huge
burden for those living on fixedincomes. Seniors on Social Secu-rity often live on significantly lessthan the mean income in Appala-chia.
Key legislation before Congress(H.R. 1398 and S. 172) would stopthe HIT and protect seniors, butSenators Kaine and Warner andCongressman Connolly have re-
fused to sign on as co-sponsors. Itseems like Congress
has forgotten we are here.If Congress allows a tax on my
healthcare premiums, I won’t beable to afford coverage. If costs goup, I’m out of the game. Seniorhealth isn’t a game – and the HITis a multi-billion-dollar tax onhealth insurance premiums thatwill go into effect in 2020 unlessCongress acts soon.
It’s time for congressional actionto stop the HIT and protect ourcare.
Carol FrysingerHerndon
Health Insurance Tax: An Attack on Seniors?WriteThe Connection welcomes views
on any public issue.The deadline for all material isnoon Friday. Letters must besigned. Include home address
and home and businessnumbers. Letters are routinelyedited for libel, grammar, good
taste and factual errors.Send to:
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