"One of the most beautiful, alluring, and remarkable parts of the Fairfax County park system," Scott's Run Nature Preserve, opened just in time for Memorial Day weekend, according to the Park Authority. Scott’s Run is located at 7400 Georgetown Pike in McLean, on the Potomac River's bank. The Park Authority posted on Facebook that an emergency clean-up effort involving a blocked county wastewater facility prompted the park's closure for several weeks to allow for repairs and maintenance service.

For additional information about the park, authorized activities (dogs on leashes), prohibited activities (no coolers, no swimming, no wading and no boating), and parking restrictions in adjacent communities, go to the Scott's Run Nature Preserve website. Arrive early since the park fills rapidly and parking is limited. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scotts-run

Karen Cosgrove, Junior Vice Commander VFW Post 8469 with her daughter, Isobel, and son, Jason 

Marshall Snyder, chairman of the Relief Fund and Post Commander Mac McCarl offer people free remembrance poppies.

Donations Benefit Veterans Relief Fund

VFW Post Auxiliary Post 8469, Fairfax Station distributed free Buddy Poppies for Memorial Day 2024 to be worn as a remembrance of veterans who gave their lives in the service of our country. “The Post also collected donations that go into our Relief Fund,“ said Post Commander Mac McCarl. He explained that donated funds are specifically used to help veterans in need, irrespective of whether they are in the VFW or not. 

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GREAT FALLS 

Despite the temperature at 92 degrees, and blazing sun, Pam Rao of Vienna puts her new ‘No Casino’ T-shirt over the one she is wearing at Viva! Vienna! Rao opposes any facility with gambling, whether stand alone, built near, or combined with other establishments and especially not in Tysons.

Vince Modugno of Vienna, holds the ‘No Casino’ bumper sticker at the ‘No Casino’ booth at Viva!Vienna and says, “I’m in favor of anything that protects the working people.” Beside him is Great Falls Citizens Association activist, Jennifer Falcone with Sally Horn, chair of the  Greater Tysons Citizens Association.

Activists Say No to Tysons Casino

General Assembly likely to add Fairfax to localities eligible to host a casino 

Virginia Senate Bill 675 on Casino gaming adds Fairfax County to the list of localities eligible to host a casino in the Commonwealth. In 2025, SB 675 will return to the Virginia General Assembly.

During the Viva! Vienna! event on Sunday and Monday, May 26–27, the No Tysons Casino vendor booth was a highly visited booth with a constant stream of people stopping at the tent.

Jennifer and Peter Falcone, activists from the Great Falls Citizens Association, and Sally Horn, chair of the Greater Tysons Citizens Association, shared their concerns with county residents, and many added their names to lists of those opposed to a casino in Tysons. People took advantage of the free t-shirts and bumper stickers that announced "NO TYSONS CASINO" in capital letters.

While efforts during the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly to kill bill SB 675 with a motion by Virginia Sen. Jennifer Boysko (38th District) to “pass by indefinitely” failed in a 9-to-5 vote with one abstention, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee accepted the Senate Resources Sub-committee recommendation and voted to “hold over” Senate Bill 675 for the next legislative session in 2025.
Jeff McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, stressed in a letter dated Jan. 26, 2024, to leaders in the Virginia General Assembly that the county did not seek authority to hold a referendum to be added to the list of eligible casino hosts. However, McKay has yet to say he will oppose a casino in Tysons. He did assert that the county would need to get a better split than first offered.

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HERNDON 

Jimmy Cirrito, owner of Jimmy’s Old Town signs the canvas. 

Why Did You Ride on Memorial Day?

For countless Sundays of Memorial Day weekends past, Jimmy Cirrito, owner of Jimmy's Tavern in the Town of Herndon, has led a Rolling to Remember motorcycle convoy to Washington, D.C. He does so to support bikers who want to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives in service to the United States Armed Forces.

This year, when the bikers returned for drinks, food, and camaraderie, joined by family and friends, old and new, a large canvas stood prominently on an easel next to the beer booth.

A sign read, "Tell Jimmy why you rode today in one word; give him a sentence or two about who you are honoring, and say anything you want.” This is the untold story of Memorial Day 2024, Jimmy’s way.

Viva! Vienna! Community News at a Glance

Parents and children check out the food court at Viva! Vienna!

Rotary Club of Vienna Presents Viva! Vienna! and Memorial Day Service & Celebration

The Rotary Club of Vienna presented Viva! Vienna! over the three-day Memorial Day weekend 2024. With rides, games, and food, a Brewfest on Mill Street, two stages, a food court, and vendor booths, the club offered something for everyone. All proceeds from the event went to charity. 

On Monday, the club presented its Memorial Day Service & Celebration. The community paid their respects and honored “American heritage by remembering the country’s dead of all wars … These heroes gave their last full measure of devotion,” according to the Rotary Club of Vienna.  

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Herndon: Community News at a Glance

At Chestnut Grove Cemetery, Mary Pickett of Herndon stops at the parade flag of her uncle, John Peter McCarter, United States Army, deceased in 1974. 

The Town of Herndon held its Memorial Day Observance at Chestnut Grove Cemetery on Monday, May 27.