Town, County Honors Local Veterans

The eighth annual Veterans Day Commemoration was held at The Marshall House, in Leesburg, Sunday afternoon. Warm temperatures brought out a large crowd to honor those who are currently serving or have served for our country.

The American Originals Fife & Drum Corps kicked off the event with a live performance followed by the Presentation of the Colors presented by the Loudoun County NJROTC.

Gorham "Rory" Clark, president of the George C. Marshall Center welcomed everyone who was in attendance. Guests included Senator Mark Herring, Delegate Randy Minchew and Leesburg Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd, among others.

World War II veteran Gayle Dora Bevis Reed, who piloted planes for the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), was the guest speaker during the event.

She was followed by keynote speaker Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, USA (Ret.), the former Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps. From February to December 2011, he also served as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations for the United States Forces in Iraq.

Following the event, guests were invited to partake in refreshements and first floor tours of The Marshall House. Army vehicles, camps as well as members of the Virginia units of the Army Reserve, the National Guard, the Virginia Defense Force, VFW units from across Northern Virginia and the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 227 were also on hand.