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Firefighter McClain's Life of Service

Firefighter McClain retires after 34 years.

One of Alexandria’s longest serving firefighters has stowed his equipment for the last time. As of April 29, Capt. Thurston McClain officially said goodbye to emergency calls and 24-hour shifts when he retired after serving 34 years with the Alexandria Fire Department.

Column: Filling the Gap

Why should young people volunteer? Isn't that something only seniors do? Not at all. Young people who volunteer gain valuable insight into the inner workings of their communities and are able to obtain a wider perspective by supporting the diverse missions of nonprofit organizations. Volunteering is more than just a few hours of free labor; it's an opportunity for networking, skill building and individual growth.

Experiencing Life with Special Needs

Potomac school program teaches empathy and acceptance.

A classmate led Sophia Collins across the gym floor during a physical education class at Wayside Elementary School in Potomac last week. Sophia tried to pick up a golf ball and put it in a cup. This may sound like an overly simple task for a first grade student, but Sophia needed help because she couldn’t see.

Letter: Determining Transit Priority

To the Editor: Although a goal of the Beauregard Small Area Plan Draft is to create a modern transit-oriented community, most of the attention has been focused on a traffic ellipse that is not part of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit corridor. The Draft Plan barely mentions the Mark Center Station, the prospect of VDOT approving the I-395 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) ramp or proposals for a transit station at Southern Towers. These changes are significant and should be addressed in the Draft Plan.