<sh>Drive for Wounded Soldiers
<bt>Springfield Boy Scout Stephan Townes is gathering supplies to help wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as part of his Eagle Scout project. When wounded soldiers arrive at medical centers, they tend to have limited resources.
Stephan has already visited several soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and has spoken to representatives of the American Red Cross about his project. They have indicated a need for the following items: telephone calling cards; hand-held radios (AM/FM); stamps; electric razors; new underwear, various sizes; playing cards; watches; new clothes, various sizes; CDs - country, R&B, rap, hip-hop, etc.; DVDs; PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 games; X-Box games; belts, size 32 to 46; shorts for the summer, medium to 2X.
Donated clothing must be new and in its original packaging. Food donations are not being accepted.
Stephan is organizing a main collection point for donated items on Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Saratoga Shopping Center Giant located on Rolling Road in Springfield.
Those who cannot bring items to the collection point may arrange to have them picked up at their home by calling Stephan at 703-216-6727. Items can also be dropped off at 8322 Lindside Way, Springfield.
<sh>Suspicious Car Spotted
<bt>A 12-year-old Burke-area girl was followed by a man in a sport utility vehicle, on Monday, May 10, at 7 p.m. The girl had left a baseball game in the 5400 block of Sideburn Road in the Burke area to walk home, Fairfax County Police said. She walked on Sideburn Road to New Guinea Road. As she approached the intersection, she noticed a dark-colored SUV. The vehicle passed her, then made a U-turn to come back and follow her. The vehicle slowed down, and the driver asked her if she wanted a ride. The vehicle continued to follow her until she met an acquaintance on Glasgow Woods Court. The acquaintance saw the vehicle and driver. After the police were called, the driver left the area.
The vehicle was described as a four-door, dark-colored SUV, possibly a Honda. It has a red bumper sticker with a white "X" on it. The driver was described as white, possibly Hispanic, in his mid-20s. He had short hair and was wearing a light-colored shirt and sunglasses. Anyone with information about this case or the man involved is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777.
<sh>Civil War Battle Commemoration
<bt>The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Ancient Order of Hibernians are conducting a ceremony to commemorate the Sept. 1, 1862, Battle of Ox Hill, in which Union Maj. Gens. Issac Stevens and Phillip Kearny were killed. The ceremony will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, at 2 p.m., at the intersection of Monument Drive and West Ox Road in Fairfax. The 17th Virginia Volunteer Infantry CSA color guard and the Father William Corby Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians color guard will present the colors at the stone monument erected to commemorate the battle. A guest speaker will discuss the battle. A wreath laying is planned, and the ceremony will include period musical renditions and songs. Refreshments will also be served.
<sh>Gold Medal of Achievement Ceremony at Jubilee Christian Center
<bt>Royal Rangers Outpost 124 is hosting a Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA) ceremony on Sunday, May 16, 6:30 p.m., at the Jubilee Christian Center, 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax.
Three Rangers will be receiving the GMA award, which is the Rangers’ equivalent to the Boy Scouts Gold Eagle award. Many of the requirements are the same, including camping skills and community service, along with Bible study and church participation for the GMA.
The three GMA recipients are Curtis Grover, 17, of Burke, and Paul Musselman, 18, and David Musselman, 16, of Nokesville, Va. Each of the three Rangers has been an active participant of the Jubilee Christian Center Youth Group, and each has completed the requirements for the Rangers Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship.