Community Guide 2022

A Powerful Force

How the military and veterans contribute to our economy and more

Prince William Community Guide 2022

Wartime Museum making progress in Dale City

Helping veteran entrepreneurs succeed Local company helps secure our nation

After ‘AGT’ run, Voices of Service still performing Veteran brings STEM to Lake Ridge

SENTARA NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER

CARE NAVIGATION GUIDE

PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR

By Appointment Same/Next Day Prevention & Health Management

• Check ups & annual physicals

• Flu shots & other vaccines

• Common illnesses (mild flu- or cold-like symptoms)

• Ear pain

• Frequent/painful urination

• Mild to moderate asthma

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

• Migraines/headaches

• Health screenings & routine tests

• Mental health concerns

• Unexplained weight changes

• Ongoing/chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, COPD, hypertension, etc.

PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS

Sentara Medical Group

– 2280 Opitz Blvd., Suite 250 Woodbridge, VA 22191

– 12825 Minnieville Rd., Suite 202 Lake Ridge, VA 22192

– 3600 Pointe Center Ct., Suite 110 Dumfries, VA 22026

– 4500 Pond Way, Suite 170 Woodbridge, VA 22192

– 95 Dunn Dr., Suite 123 Stafford, VA 22556

iwantsentaramedicalgroup.com 1-844-615-1237

Sentara Family Health Connection (Medical services may be available for qualified uninsured patients.)

703-523-0998

sentara.com/getcarenow

URGENT CARE

Same Day/Extended After Hours Walk-in Service & Short Wait Times

• Non-life threatening concerns

• Cold/flu symptoms

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Fever

• Ear pain

• Sinus conditions

• Bug bites or small animal bites

• Sprains, strains or fractures

• Simple cuts/lacerations

• Rashes

• Minor burns

URGENT CARE LOCATION

Velocity Urgent Care

In partnership with Sentara Healthcare 16422 Navigation Dr. Woodbridge, VA 22191 velocityuc.com 571-297-1437

EMERGENCY ROOM

OPEN 24/7

• Serious life or limb threatening emergencies

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

• Sudden loss of consciousness

• Head or eye injury

• Bluish skin color

• Numbness in limbs or face

• Sudden dizziness or confusion

• Persistent vomiting

• Open bone fracture/wounds

• Severe burns

• Anaphylactic shock

• Slurred speech

• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy

• Poisoning or overdose

Call 911 if you are having a life threatening emergency.

EMERGENCY ROOM LOCATIONS

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

Level III Trauma Center 2300 Opitz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1470

Sentara Lake Ridge 12825 Minnieville Rd. Woodbridge, VA 22192 (across from Tackett’s Mill Shopping Center) 703-523-9800

NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER

IMAGING, LAB & THERAPY LOCATIONS

IMAGING SERVICES

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

2300 Opitz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1560

Sentara Heart & Vascular Center 2300 Opitz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1980

Sentara Advanced Imaging Center Century 2280 Opitz Blvd., Suite 100 Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1560

Sentara Lorton Station Women’s Imaging Center 8986 Lorton Station Blvd. Suite 200 Lorton, VA 22079 703-523-1560

Sentara Ultrasound Associates Women’s Imaging Center

5055 Seminary Rd., Suite 104 Alexandria, VA 22311 703-820-8320

Sentara Advanced Imaging Center – Lake Ridge 12825 Minnieville Rd. Suite 100 Woodbridge, VA 22192 703-523-1560

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

Mobile Mammography

The mobile mammography unit brings mammography to local businesses, churches, and other convenient locations to provide easier access for this important screening tool.

For more information or to schedule the mobile mammography van for a specific location, please call 703-523-1997

LAB SERVICES

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

2300 Opitz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191

Monday – Friday

7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

NOTICE: Lab hours may change due to COVID-19. Please call ahead to confirm hours of operation. Holidays may also affect hours. Please call before arriving.

For information on Sentara lab services, please call 703-523-1301

• Walk-ins welcome during lab operation hours.

• Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are performed here Monday – Friday.

• Last registration 30 minutes prior to closing.

Sentara Lake Ridge 12825 Minnieville Rd. Suite 100 Woodbridge, VA 22192

Monday – Friday

7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Walk-ins welcome during lab operation hours.

• Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are performed here.

• Last registration 30 minutes prior to closing.

Information as of August 2022

THERAPY SERVICES

Sentara Therapy Center

Century 2280 Opitz Blvd., Suite 210 Woodbridge, VA 22191 Scheduling 855-852-9066

Sentara Therapy Center

Dumfries 3600 Pointe Center Ct. Dumfries, VA 22026 Scheduling 855-852-9066

Sentara Therapy Center

Reid’s Prospect 4565 Daisy Reid Ave., Suite 215 Woodbridge, VA 22192 Scheduling 855-852-9066

Sentara Therapy Center

Stafford 95 Dunn Dr. Stafford, VA 22556 Scheduling 855-852-9066

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center 2300 Opitz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-1280

Outpatient Infusion Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

2300 Opitz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-0640 Fax: 703-670-4098

Sentara Diabetes & Nutrition Management 2296 Opitz Blvd., Suite 320 Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-0590 Fax: 844-812-4052

Sentara Wound Healing Center

2296 Opitz Blvd., Suite 130 Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-523-0660 Fax: 571-542-9965

Spotlight on the Military

One of my regrets is that I never had the privilege of serving in the Armed Forces. And my exposure to the military community was limited until I moved to Prince William County about 15 years ago.

Then, suddenly it seemed as though everyone I met had some connection to the military – either they were a service member, a civilian employee or a con tractor, or they were a veteran. And if they weren’t, then a family member was.

There’s no doubt that Northern Virginia generally – and Prince William specifically – benefits economically from its proximity to the District of Co lumbia and the massive number of jobs created by the federal government. The military is certainly part of that, yet, as I learned over the years, it has its own culture, its own way of life.

In this year’s edition of our annual Community Guide, we set out to cap ture some of that – and to chronicle the impact of the military and veteran community on Prince William. There is plenty of data, some of which is in Cameron Delean’s article on Page 5, and there are updates on the Wartime Museum planned for Dale City (Page 6) and the National Museum of the Marine Corps (Page 20).

But more than that, there are stories of people – of veterans who have taken what they learned during their military service and put it to good use starting businesses here in Prince William that in some cases, such as C3R (Page 12), have a direct connection to the military, and in other cases are entirely different, such as Juan Carlos Baret’s baseball bats (Page 10).

One thing these businesses have in common, though, is that they are suc cessful, they are creating jobs for our residents and they are supporting our community.

We’re delighted to have the opportunity to share their stories with you –and, for that, we thank the advertisers listed below who made this section possible. We hope you enjoy reading them, and we encourage you to join us in supporting these local businesses and thanking all of our veterans and active-duty military members for their service.

– Bruce Potter, Publisher, InsideNoVa/Prince William

Advertisers in this Section

• Appliance Connection

• Bella Vita Restaurant

• Bob Hummer, Coldwell Banker Realty

• Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning

• I-66 Express Mobility

• Montclair Family Restaurant

• OmniRide (PRTC)

• Potomac Place

• Prince William County Public Libraries

• Prince William Ice Center

On the Cover

A collage of photos that capture some of the military’s impact on our community. Top photo: A visitor pays his respects at The Fallen Heroes Memorial, which was on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Triangle last year. Middle left: Military vehicles participate in the Fourth of July parade in Dale City this summer. Bottom left: Nearly 2,000 runners par ticipated in the Marine Corps’ 17.75K through Prince William Forest Park this spring. Bottom right: The Lake Ridge Rotary Club marked Vet erans Day last year by placing American flags along the Prince William Parkway.

Photos by Paul Lara | For InsideNoVa

• Prince William County Parks & Recreation

• Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center

• RenovaSmiles

• Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

• Summit Roofing Contractors

• Tackett’s Mill Center (Rappaport)

• United Bank

• Virginia National Bank

• Virginia Spine Specialists

BRUCE POTTER

A Powerful Force

Prince William Community Guide 2022 How the military and veterans contribute to our economy and more

An Economic Force

Military, veteran communities positively affect Prince William

BY CAMERON DELEAN cdelean@insidenova.com

In Prince William County and throughout the country, the military and veteran populations have had a positive influence on the community and economy.

The Department of Defense operates hundreds of military installations across the country, including Marine Corps Base Quantico in southeastern Prince William and Fort Belvoir, which is just north of Prince William in Fairfax County.

While these installations are used to sustain the presence of U.S forces and train troops, they also support service members and their families by provid ing housing, health care and education on base. The Defense Department also contributes annual funding to state economies through operating military installations and employing thousands of civilians, many of whom live in Prince William.

This spending helps local communi ties by directly and indirectly providing job opportunities across various sectors, according to county officials. These employees spend their military wages on local goods and services, which helps stimulate the local economy. Surround ing communities can also benefit from defense contracts for supplies, con struction, health care, and information technology.

According to the Defense Department, Virginia is the top state for total defense spending at $53 billion. Prince William’s proximity to Fort Belvoir and Quantico Marine Base means that local residents are provided with the benefits and oppor tunities that come with military funding.

There is also a significant veteran population in Prince William that affects the economy. The American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, estimates the veteran popula

tion each year based on a representative survey sample. According to the 2019 survey, an estimated 42,100 veterans live in Prince William, or about 10% of the county’s total population.

These veterans are equipped with valuable skills that they have obtained through their time in the military, which has led many former service members to go on to run their own businesses as civilians. The U.S Small Business Admin istration says there are about 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses in the country.

And while no specific numbers are available, Prince William is home to hundreds of those businesses, along with other military service organizations. These include Caprecia Cares, which aims to empower at-risk teen girls, K9s Serving Vets, which assists veterans in their search for a service dog, and First Home Alliance, a housing counseling agency for low-to-moderate income communities.

Many of these organizations aim to bet ter the community and provide assistance to those in need. Having veteran-owned businesses not only supports local former service members, but also provides job opportunities for civilians.

Marine Corps Base Quantico covers more than 55,000 acres of southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County and southeastern Fauquier County. INSIDENOVA FILE PHOTO

According to the Defense Department, Virginia is the top state for total defense spending at $53 billion.

Making tracks: Wartime Museum project advances

BY JARED FORETEK jforetek@insidenova.com

Dennis Brant has a problem. He’s trying to get a mid-1900s tank from the Eastern Shore of Mary land to Nokesville, and he’s not sure it can get over the Bay Bridge.

“I had a guy donate a tank to us last weekend, and I’m in the midst of trying to get a vehicle to transport it over the Bay Bridge, but I think the Bay Bridge isn’t going to be able to hold it,” he said. “It’s 160,000 pounds, so 80 tons, and it’s an M60A1, an unbelievable tank.”

Nokesville is where Brant and Allan Cors, a former president of the National Rifle Association, run the Americans in Wartime Experience Tank Farm. Last weekend at its annual open house, the farm displayed over 50 vehicles and a se ries of artifacts from 9/11. The farm also hosted a Marine Corps battalion advance ment demonstration.

“It’s amazing. They’re shooting blanks, so it’s like you’re in the battle with tanks rolling behind them and so forth, they’re diving in the woods and bushes; it’s pretty cool,” Brant said.

Eventually, what’s at the tank farm will be moved to a museum in Dale City. The group has been fundraising for the Amer icans in Wartime Museum for years, and

MORE INFORMATION

» See photos of this year’s Tank Farm event on Page 10 of this week’s main newspaper.

Brant said final site plans should be ready to be submitted to Prince William County within a few months.

After that, the hope is that in about three to four years, the museum will be up and running to honor those who’ve served and still do, and to spread aware ness about the sacrifices those in the armed services make.

The museum was chartered in 2003. Start-up funds were raised between 2004 and 2007 from Congress, the state, Prince William County and private donors. In 2010, the Hylton Foundation donated 70 acres off Dale Boulevard and near Interstate 95.

So far, about 50 acres has been cleared for the museum, and the group is finish ing up water main lines on the property. When all is said and done, the museum will not only have an exhibit building of about 40,000 square feet but also an out door “Living Landscapes of War,” which will feature recreations of battlefields from World War I on.

The site will also feature two tracks for tank parades, old military aircraft, a zip line that goes over the landscapes, rock walls and rope courses.

“It’ll be a tremendous learning expe rience. … The whole idea behind the Americans in Wartime Experience is education. Educate America, educate our youth, educate everybody about our military, our branches of service, the unbelievable stories being told by our

service men and women who’ve been in battle,” Brant said.

While all that’s still years away, Brant is working to put the finishing touches on the tank farm’s open house, and in particular on getting that massive tank over – or around – the Chesapeake Bay, with police escort the whole way, and into position in Nokesville.

“We’re just looking for the go-ahead,” he said.

This June 2021 aerial photo shows progress on clearing land for the Americans in Wartime Museum near Interstate 95 in Dale City. ROGER SNYDER | FOR INSIDENOVA

A Mall for Veterans Organization provides retail space in Woodbridge

BY JAMES JARVIS jjarvis@insidenova.com

Donnell Johns knows better than anyone what military veterans have to offer the community. That’s why he launched a company that provides resources, including retail space in Woodbridge, for active-duty and retired veterans to help grow or start their business.

“There was really no place for veterans to come together and sell products,” Johns said. “The only place that I saw were flea markets and pop-up events, but nothing focused on veterans. There was a gap in that space and so I created basically a mall for veteran and military spouses.”

Johns, who served in the U.S. Army for 26 years until he retired in January 2017 as a command sergeant major, said the compa ny, Veterans Growing America (originally Veterans Grow Virginia), is designed to address the challenges veterans face trying to find work after leaving the military.

“The narrative right now that I see is mostly about PTSD, suicide and home

lessness, which is causing a huge impact on employment and support for our veterans,” he said.

Veterans Growing America aims to help veterans overcome barriers by connecting them with free resources, sponsoring local events, providing sales and marketing training and creating networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and larger companies.

Johns also rents out a physical space at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge and partners with the Army and Air Force exchanges, which also sponsor events for veteran entrepreneurs across the country.

“Vendors win because they get to con nect with like-minded individuals that are on the same path as them, and they can talk to each other about and support each other…because we also support them with resources and connections – things that will help their business grow,” Johns said.

Since it started in December 2019 at Ji rani Coffee House in Manassas, Veterans Growing America has accumulated over 750 members and clients nationwide, including about 250 in Virginia, and generated over $200,000 in revenue for veterans and their families, Johns said.

To become a member, entrepreneurs must verify their military status. Plans start at $15 a month, and members re

ceive access to the company’s retail space, private forums and monthly newsletter.

One of the company’s members is Stacey Harris, a retired veteran who served with the Military Police Corps from 2010-2021 and now owns the health and wellness company BB Tea. She said that although her business is just a hobby, Veterans Growing America helped to increase her visibility in the local commu nity. Harris said she feels a similar sense of camaraderie with the other veteran entrepreneurs she’s met as she did with her military comrades.

“[Veterans Growing America] does so much for the veterans…they host meet ups, we get together and we just talk and network and everything,” she said. “I like it because I missed the camaraderie of wom en in the army. But we all have the same goals as far as making our business grow.”

Harris, who lives in Alexandria and is a mother of two children, works full-time as a military analyst but said she has com mitted to participating in Johns’ events in Woodbridge at least once a month to sell her products.

“It's just one mom out there selling tea,”

she said. “I enjoy it. And maybe one day, I'll have a permanent shop, but we’ll see how business goes. Hopefully, that dream will come true.”

Donnell Johns founded Veterans Growing America in 2019 with a goal of providing resources to veteran entrepreneurs.

JAMES JARVIS | INSIDENOVA

Veteran Stacey Harris says Veterans Growing America has helped her to grow her health and well ness business.

JAMES JARVIS | INSIDENOVA

— STACEY HARRIS, RETIRED VETERAN

“[Veterans Growing America] does so much for the veterans…they host meetups, we get together and we just talk and network and everything.”

Carving out a Success

Woodbridge veteran makes, sells baseball bats

BY JAMES JARVIS jjarvis@insidenova.com

Juan Carlos Baret said the transition from the military to civilian life was challenging.

But what helped ease the emotional bur den was the support he received – not only from his family but also from the military community, which helped him turn his hobby into a small business.

“Right now, this is like the golden era to be a veteran,” Baret said. “Because there are so many resources, which are very, very, very supportive of the veteran community.”

Baret retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2007 after nine years of service. He was deployed all over the world, from Schriev er Air Force Base (now a Space Force base) in Colorado Springs to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. But upon his return to civilian life, Baret said he was anxious about leaving a life to which he had dedicated nearly a decade.

Almost immediately after retiring, Baret took a civilian deployment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan.

“I still felt like I wanted to serve,” he said.

When Baret returned, he tried to pursue his other passion, baseball. But because of chronic back pain he developed in the military, Baret said, it became impossible to play anymore.

His dreams quashed, Baret said he fell into a deep depression. “I was 32 years old and thinking, ‘Man, I’m feeling like I’m an old man,’” he said.

In the years that followed, Baret bought some woodworking tools and started making bats in his basement for fun to help elevate his mood. But soon after he started this hobby, Baret realized there was an opportunity to turn it into a business.

“I went back to what I always knew, what would get me out of a rut is always baseball,” he said. “If I can’t play, what else can I do? So that’s when I decided to start a business making baseball bats out of the blue.”

Little by little, Baret began selling to his friends. Over the years the business, called Baret Bats, slowly grew, mostly through word of mouth. Several years later, Baret was selling to Little League and minor league baseball players all over Northern Virginia.

Although it was just a part-time busi ness on the side, Baret said it excited him because he was reminded of how his father used to coach baseball in the South Bronx,

which nurtured his love of the sport.

“I grew up…playing in the local leagues in Upper Manhattan where my dad coached,” Baret said. “Those Little Leagues were great because it gave us a good outlet. And that’s why I’m very supportive of the local Little Leagues, especially kids of low income because baseball is getting really expensive.”

The son of an immigrant, Baret and his family are originally from the Dominican Republic. Baret’s father immigrated to New York City before the rest of his family to find work.

“The life of an immigrant is tough,” Baret said. “[My father] didn’t know the language, but he knew one thing is always hard work. And being honest, and helping kids. He always loved to help kids.”

When Baret was around age 10, in 1988, he and his mother moved to be with his father. Some of Baret’s happiest memories were seeing his father coach baseball to underprivileged youth in the Dominican community. “I was poor in a financial sense, not having enough money or what ever, but I was rich in good examples and giving back to others.”

Fast forward to 2018. Five years after Baret started his bat-making operation, the 43-year-old veteran from Woodbridge began attending networking events seeking advice on how to grow his business. At one of those events, Baret met Donnell Johns, founder of the company Veterans Growing America.

Beret said Johns’ company, which provides resources to entrepreneurs who were or are in the military, was a perfect fit particularly because it provided members with the opportunity to sell their products out of retail space at the Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge.

“I wanted to be part of it to help them out and also to be part of [VGA] because I think this is a great opportunity for me … to have a retail space where people could come and see your product, and also to connect with the community as well,” Baret said.

Since joining Johns’ organization, Baret has seen his business acumen and product

— JUAN CARLOS BARET, BARET BATS OWNER

sales grow. But he noted his goal is not to be the next Louisville Slugger and empha sized that his business is about more than just making bats.

“Bats is pretty much what I’m known for mostly, but I also do [bat making] presen tations…I fix gloves and I’m also going to start doing more art, and more woodwork ing,” he said. “It’s all related to baseball, craftsmanship, military… passions that I feel strongly about.”

Outside of help from his family, Baret, who works full-time as an engineering technician for the Army Corps of Engi neers, makes all the bats himself by hand. But he relies on partnerships with local graphic designers and people like Johns to help brand and market his business to the broader community.

Baret said he’s come a long way with the help of these partnerships and hopes to one day establish a “development center” where people would be encouraged to come and make their own art/products or provide services to the community.

“I do want to grow profits and make money but I also want to integrate myself in the community, in a way that brings value to the community,” Baret said.

“Businesses have a responsibility not just to grow and make money, but also help the community.”

Juan Carlos Baret started his business to make baseball bats more affordable for young players. JAMES JARVIS | INSIDENOVA

“If I can’t play, what else can I do? So that’s when I decided to start a business making baseball bats out of the blue.”

Keeping the Nation Secure

Dumfries-based firm specializes in security

BY JAYA PATIL For InsideNoVa

Before he founded the security company Concord Crossroads, Claude Wood spent 25 years in the field of protection, starting as a sec ond lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His en trepreneurial spirit comes from growing up in a family of farmers in Mecklenburg County in southern Virginia.

“I grew up in rural Virginia. … My folks were small farmers, we had small acreage and relied on that,” Wood said. “You have to manage your own business and income, and if you don’t work you don’t usually get fed or paid.”

He maintained that spirit while attending Virginia State University in Petersburg. Wood worked part-time for a hospital and the university while pur suing a degree in business administra tion. He joined VSU’s Army ROTC and he was commissioned as a U.S. Army officer after graduating in 1977.

Wood spent 25 years in the Army, with the last 10 years of his service at the Pentagon. He put in his retirement papers in early 2001, set to retire in one year. But after 9/11, his security exper tise was critical. Because of his famil iarity with the Pentagon and the Army’s infrastructure, he was asked to work as a contractor.

His father was also diagnosed with cancer at the time. “I was able to spend the last 90 days of his life … supporting him and caring for him,” Wood recalled. While spending time with his father, he decided to give up his post-retirement plan to sell mutual funds so he could try out federal contracting.

So after retiring in 2002, he immedi

MORE INFORMATION

ately returned as a contractor, sent to the command responsible for Pentagon security.

“I started that work as one person on a contract,” Wood said, “After working there for a while, I got close to some of the people who had a mission of offering defensive measures to protect us against terrorism.”

As his team grew by a handful of people, Concord Crossroads, or C3R, was founded in 2003. Today, C3R, based in Dumfries, provides experts in intelligence, security, cyber technology and training solutions to the federal government, and Wood serves as CEO. The company mostly works with the Army and some special forces but has also recently acquired the FBI as a client.

C3R had contracts supporting the Army’s anti-terrorism programs from around 2007 to 2018. C3R also orga nized an annual anti-terrorism training seminar, which Wood managed until 2010, when he hired someone to take it over so he could focus on other aspects of the company.

Through contractors at military in stallations, C3R has 26 locations around the world and has grown to more than 60 contractors and about 14 employees in-office. All seven of Wood’s children have worked for C3R in some capacity, and four work full-time there.

Founder and CEO Claude Wood (center) and the C3R team at their 2018 holiday party. PROVIDED

» Visit concordcrossroads.com

“Big-name companies never excited me because you get lost in those large businesses,” Wood said. Most of the C3R’s contracts have been sole-source (awarded without bidding), because of the company’s reputation and expertise.

“Concord Crossroads exhibits a high level of competence, trustworthiness, and professionalism often sought out by others, but not likely to mirror what Concord Crossroads offers,” said Army Cyber Command Contracting Officer Alicia Toth.

Wood even persuaded the Army to create civil servant positions for his con tractors since they supplied high-quality work.

“I know we did many things to protect our soldiers, family members and civil ians,” Wood said, crediting the compa ny’s success to “hiring and bringing in the right people.”

He said he looks for specialized and innovative security personnel who value character, commitment, courage and respect.

“I put those value statements in be cause I thought [they] were important for building great teams and demon strating that you can share the wealth you create with people who trust you,” Wood said, “If you don’t put it out there and people don’t get to know who you are, what your values are, and the history of your relationship with people, it’s hard to attract good employees.”

Rick Streeter, a former antiterrorism and physical security subject matter ex pert for C3R, said, “The company really cares about its employees and above all, they look out for their employees’ best interests and are very supportive.”

C3R has offered six-week summer

— ALICIA TOTH, ARMY CYBER COMMAND CONTRACTING OFFICER

paid internships to local middle and high school students for years. The interns also received help preparing their resumes and participated in community support activities such as volunteering at shelters and food pantries. The intern ships were halted during the pandemic, but Wood hopes to resume them next summer.

Wood is also active with Virginia State University, and C3R sponsors VSU’s Hospitality Management Program, Athletic Scholarship Golf Tournament and food trailer. Wood also helps VSU students and other businesses to obtain security clearances if they’re interested in government work.

C3R founder Claude Wood (center) graduated from Virginia State University in 1977 and was one of its Athletics Hall and Wall of Fame inductees in 2019. PROVIDED

“Concord Crossroads exhibits a high level of competence, trustworthiness, and professionalism often sought out by others, but not likely to mirror what Concord Crossroads offers.”

OmniRide Express is a stress-free and convenient bus service from Eastern Prince William County, the Manassas area, Gainesville, Haymarket, and Stafford to destinations in Northern Virginia (including the Pentagon) and Washington, D.C. (including the Navy Yard and State Department).

OmniRide Metro Express offers three routes that connect Woodbridge, Manassas, and Gainesville/Linton Hall with nearby Metro stations.

OmniRide Local is a local bus service in Dale City, Woodbridge/ Lake Ridge, Dumfries, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

OmniRide East-West Express travels between Eastern Prince William County and the Manassas area, with access to medical facilities, offices, shopping and other destinations.

OmniRide Ridesharing Service saves you time and money by helping you locate the carpool or vanpool that fits your needs. It’s easy and FREE!

Chamber plans salute to the armed forces

The Prince William Chamber of Com merce will present its annual Salute to the Armed Forces luncheon on Oct. 20.

This year’s event will be held in the hangar at Chantilly Air Jet Center at the Manassas Airport and will continue the chamber’s tradition of honoring the sub stantial military presence in the area.

The Salute to the Armed Forces high lights and honors the large veteran com munity, Gold Star wives and mothers, and the business community that supports the military. The event is open to the public.

The featured speaker will be Major Gen. Larry O. Spencer, a retired fourstar general and president of the Armed Forces Benefit Association and 5Star Life Insurance Co. Spencer spent over 40 years in the Air Force, and his last assignment was as the vice chief of staff of the Air Force at the Pentagon. In this capacity, Spencer was the second highest-ranking military member in the Air Force.

Programming will include the Nation al Anthem, sung by Caleb Green from Voices of Service, which finished in the top five on “America’s Got Talent” in 2019. Green also performs the National Anthem at many Washington Capitals games.

EVENT DETAILS

» When: Thursday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Networking and shuttle transportation begins at 11 a.m., with lunch served at 11:30 a.m.

» Where: Chantilly Air Jet Center, 10660 Skyview Terrace, Suite 100, Manassas, 20110. Carpooling is recommended, due to a limited number of parking spaces available.

» Tickets: $50 for Prince William Chamber of Commerce members and $65 for future members. Visit pwchamber.org/events to purchase tickets.

» Sponsorships: A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Jodi Vallimont at jvallimont@ pwchamber.org or (571) 765-7590.

Additionally, the ceremony will include a presentation of colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Service Color Guard, the playing of “Taps” and a POW/MIA ceremony. Updates are also expected from both Fort Belvoir and Marine Corps Base Quantico.

OmniRide

Ride Home and SmartBenefits Programs. Transit

provided by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission.

A faster travel and more reliable travel experience is coming to I-66 with the new Express Lanes. With convenient access points and multiple payment methods, you can arrive more quickly to the things that matter most.

Learn more at ride66express.com.

Still Sharing Their Voices

Local ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalists continue to perform

BY ACACIA JAMES ajames@insidenova.com

It’s been three years since the local vocal group Voices of Service graced televisions nationwide on “America’s Got Talent” season 14. The quartet of veteran and active-duty military members finished in fifth place, but their work did not stop there.

Voices of Service is affiliated with the Northern Virginia-based Center for American Military Music Oppor tunities (CAMMO), which creates music performance and career op portunities for military members and veterans. Voices of Services consists of three Woodbridge residents – Caleb Green, Jason Hanna and Christal Rheams – along with Ron Henry of Williamsburg.

Three years after the show aired, the vocal group admits they had no idea what they were auditioning for in

VOICES PAGE 17 Voices of Service performs on “America’s Got Talent” in 2019. From left to right: Caleb Green, Christal Rheams, Jason Hanna and Ron Henry. PROVIDED

VOICES

New York.

“I think it was about a month, may be two months later, I get this call at my desk that said, ‘Hey, I’m about to send you a ton of paperwork, you’re on the show,” said Rheams, recounting the experience.

The musicians also had no idea how much success they would have on the show, and it’s something for which Rheams credits the show staff. “What we were able to accomplish on that stage with the support of the AGT staff and personnel and Simon Cowell, Gabrielle Union – it was a lot of support from them.”

Another surprise came when the group learned they had a chance to win $1 million. Rheams said they didn’t know they could possibly take home the money until an interviewer asked whether they had any plans for the cash.

But Henry said going on the show was not about what they would get in return but what they could do for others. “We use music as a weapon, to the forces of anxiety, post-traumatic stress. We use music as a gateway to show people that there is love – there is still hope in this world.”

Green said that weaponizing music to survive struggles is something they wanted to share with more than just service members.

“Our platform expanded from just military members to first responders, to caregivers, to people who just really experienced the issues that we were talking about – it’s not always about combat, it could be anything,” he added.

He recounted how cadences helped

him survive basic training.

“It connected to my soul, and I could feel it, and I was able to go infinitely further than I would have on my own because I was taken out of my mental anguish because of the music,” he said.

Life after the show has still been

musical and fun for the group, but Hanna said his family kept him grounded. “You get home, your wife’s like, ‘You’re on TV, but the trash still needs to get put out.’”

Rheams, who retired from active duty earlier this month, said her fellow service members were very supportive of her appearing on the show.

The group is still working on music together and will soon release a holiday EP. They also recently sang with Calum Scott and will perform at the Louisa Arts Center in November. Although they aim to use their music to help others out of their struggle, Voices of Service plans to write music about the positive side of hardships.

“We want to write about the victo rious part of the struggles – yeah, I’ve been through it, but I’m still victori ous. I’m still here,” Henry said. It’s a message they hope to communicate globally through their music.

The members also agree that their time on “America’s Got Talent” was a great experience not only because of their love of music but also because of their love for each other.

“It was one of the best experiences that I’ve had,” Rheams said. “Not just because we were able to get a message out with the music, but also because I got to experience it with three of the best people I’ve ever met in my life.”

Switching places with the “America’s Got Talent” judges are (left to right) Jason Hanna, Ron Henry, Caleb Green and Christal Rheams. PROVIDED

Bringing STEM to Lake Ridge

Veteran’s franchise survives pandemic

BY JAYA PATIL For InsideNoVa

Donya Dugan always knew she wanted to do something involving technology after retiring from the U.S. Army.

And her difficulty finding a coding and robotics program for her son in the Woodbridge area led to her decision to open a Stemtree franchise in Lake Ridge.

“[Stemtree] was the perfect fit. … We could do what we love doing anyway,” Dugan said.

Dugan served in the Army for 22 years and while transitioning out of the service, she completed Boots to Business, a Small Business Association entrepreneurial training program. The program assess ments identified the Stemtree franchise – which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics enrichment – as a potential match for Dugan.

Dugan had earned her bachelor’s de gree in biology from Temple University in 1999 and later obtained a master’s in in formation management and information security. Her husband is a math teacher, and their three children were interested in science and technology, too.

“My oldest son was one of the main reasons why I opened Stemtree. He was into robotics and coding,” Dugan said. They couldn’t find a relevant program in Woodbridge for his interests and had to go all the way to Fairfax.

For their franchise, they found a loca tion in Dillingham Square, where they could coordinate transportation with the local schools their kids attended.

For employees, Dugan searched for

MORE INFORMATION

» Online: Visit stemtree.com/lakeridge

» Address: 12363 Dillingham Square, Lake Ridge, 22192

people who were highly specialized and broadly skilled in STEM. “People have to know how to operate in it and teach it, so we are selective about the hiring process. … It got easier as it went along.”

She opened Stemtree Lake Ridge in Oc tober 2020, but the pandemic presented a big challenge. “My whole business plan went out the window because [it] didn't involve anything online; everything was in-person,” Dugan said.

The center offered a virtual curriculum until it could resume hands-on instruc tion and activities, which Dugan said is more effective.

“We had a lot of challenges. I was able to deal with them because I was so used to dealing with challenges and being flexible with things,” Dugan said, credit ing her Army career. “It prepared me for anything.”

The center now offers customized af ter-school programs, summer camps and homeschool programs. Dugan’s husband, Antwan, also a veteran, is chief financial officer and their children have also partic ipated in the programs.

The center’s summer camps are the most popular program, but it does experi ence a lull during the school year because

Donya Dugan opened a Stemtree franchise in Lake Ridge after retiring from the U.S. Army.

PROVIDED

there is less demand for after-school care.

“It’s a different demographic and a little bit harder in my opinion for us,” Dugan said. She is working to create a program tailored to those families’ needs for more care and less STEM education.

The business model morphed again because many of the center’s younger stu dents didn’t know how to read since they didn’t learn during COVID. The students couldn’t follow the standard curriculum without those reading skills, so the staff had to take learning down to a one-onone level.

One of Stemtree’s managers “took the time to teach the students how to read. We didn’t do robotics, we didn’t do cod ing; we did phonics,” Dugan said. They got those students to the proper reading level and incorporated phonics work into their kindergarten instruction.

Stemtree Lake Ridge also provides homework support and exam prep. Most of their students are high schoolers. The center also partnered with some elemen tary schools on a robotics program and are trying to do the same with middle schools.

Stemtree was a recipient this year of a “Restore Retail” grant from Prince Wil liam County, which came at just the right time, Dugan said. The center’s prices must cover its STEM equipment, but Dugan also wants to enrich her clients’ lives.

business, incorporate new things,” Dugan said, “I do want to be profitable but … it's not why I do it. … I don't want to short change my customers and my students. I don't want to provide less.”

Stemtree Lake Ridge even provides field trips to local parks, pools and other venues. “Even though we are STEM … they still need to get outside.” Dugan said.

do it.”

Dugan’s family had planned to move to Georgia, but she has fallen for Virginia’s weather and pace, joking that Atlanta is too hot and slow for her now. Her goal is to start a business, using the experience of operating a franchise. Regardless, she plans to work with kids and offer access to STEM in Woodbridge for years to

And that’s good news for Francisca Koduah, whose son attended Stemtree Lake Ridge’s after-school program for robotics.

“It was important that we found a place that helped foster his passion in the sci ence field … to keep that curiosity going and to keep him hungry,” Koduah said. “Donya helped preserve the core of that passion.”

Stemtree Lake Ridge, which opened in the fall of 2020, offers diverse learning spaces and STEM activities.

Continuing to Expand

Marine Corps museum adding galleries, exhibits

BY CAMERON DELEAN cdelean@insidenova.com

The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Tri angle has an exciting lineup of new galleries and temporary exhibits for visitors to explore.

The museum is currently showing a temporary exhibit featuring artifacts from Marine astronauts who have had a significant impact on the space program. Marines have served on and aided space flight missions since the 1960s, and their contributions have helped further NASA’s space explorations.

“Marines have been a part of America’s Space Program from the very beginning and will continue to contribute at all levels into the future,” Larry Burke, the museum’s aviation curator, said in a news release. “I think visitors will be surprised just how much Marines have contribut ed to the exploration of space.”

The exhibit is divided into three sections to show the phases of the space program. Displays include artifacts, imagery and personal narratives to describe the work Marines have done for the space program. “Spaceflight: The Marine Astronauts” will run through January 2024.

MORE DETAILS

» Location: 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, 22172

» Admission: Free

» Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Christmas

Among the other temporary exhibits at the museum, “We The People” can be viewed in the Combat Art Gallery.

This collection is composed of portraits of American veterans by art ist Mary Whyte. There is one large-scale watercolor portrait from each of the 50 states that pays tribute to veterans from around the country with their different ways of life. The show will run until January.

» Information: Visit usmcmuseum.com

The other temporary exhibits that are currently on display include a communications strategy and opera tions exhibit, a “Recent Acquisitions” exhibit, “A Tribute in Silver,” and “Battles Won – Marine Corps Recruiting Command Sculptures by Kris Kuksi.”

The museum opened in November 2006 and has become one of the state’s largest tourist attractions, drawing over 500,000 visitors a year.

The museum also has begun construction on two permanent gallery installations.

“Forward Deployed” will focus on the challenges faced after the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1991, where the United States was left as the lone super power and the strategic action that resulted. The connected exhibit, “Afghanistan and Iraq,” will show the era of the Marine Corps after the Sept. 11 attacks and their contributions to the global war on terrorism while fighting two of the longest wars in America’s history.

These two galleries will encompass more than 40 years of Marine Corps history using immersive displays that demonstrate moments of Marine deployment around the world. Visitors will be able to walk through a fullscale recreation of an Iraqi street to understand the tactics used by Marines on patrol there.

Displays will also include the M60A1 tank that led through berms into Kuwait, the M198 howitzer that fired the first rounds in support of Operation Desert Storm’s ground campaign, a Mobile All-Terrain Vehi cle that survived an IED blast on the road to Baghdad,

we are hoping to have it completed in about two years,” said Gwen Adams, public affairs chief for the museum. “We will definitely have it open before 2025.”

and an F/A-18A Hornet that responded to the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

“We are still working on the audio-visual part of it, so

This 2021 aerial photo shows the National Museum of the Marine Corps, which is visible from Interstate 95 (top of photo) in the Trian gle area. ROGER SNYDER | FOR INSIDENOVA

Mary Whyte’s “We The People” features paintings of veterans from every state and is on display until January. PROVIDED

The National Museum of the Marine Corps’ new galleries will include an immersive Iraqi street scene.

PROVIDED

SEPTEMBER

National Replacement Window Month at Renewal by Andersen*

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Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. “ENERGY STAR” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2022 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2022 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. 2See limited warranty for details. *National Replacement Window Month is not a Congressionally-approved designation.

Businesses that support the military

SENTARA NORTHERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER: QUIET ROOMS, HIGH-QUALITY CARE

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a 183-bed, not-for-profit com munity hospital serving Prince William County and its surrounding communi ties. Our Trauma III designated medical center combines the resources of a major health system with the compassionate, personalized care of a community hos pital.

Sentara offers quiet, private rooms and high-quality care focused on safety and patient satisfaction. We offer a wide range of medical specialties, a highly qualified medical and clinical staff and state-ofthe-art technology. Our clinical services include advanced imaging, cancer ser vices, diabetes management, emergency care, heart and vascular care, lab services, neurosurgery, primary care, orthopedics, urology, weight loss surgery, women’s services and more.

APPLIANCE CONNECTION: OVER 37 YEARS OF SERVICE

For over 37 years, Appliance Connec tion has served the needs of the greater Washington metro area. Founded in 1985 by Mark and Pam Tonnesen, Appliance Connection has grown to be the 95th largest appliance retailer in the entire country.

Our location in Woodbridge, with over 20,000 square feet of display space, is the largest appliance store in the Mid-At lantic. Our accomplished staff receives extensive training directly from major brand manufactures. “We provide re markable service by tailoring each inter action carefully to the customer’s needs.”

OMNIRIDE: EXPRESS SERVICE TO EMPLOYMENT CENTERS

OmniRide is honored to serve ac tive-duty and retired military service members on our bus routes every day. Our Express commuter service runs between Prince William County and the Manassas area to employment centers in Northern Virginia and Washington. This includes stops at the Pentagon, Navy Yard and the State Department. Our agency is responsible for safely transporting those who help to keep the nation safe every day – and we are proud to do so.

OmniRide is the operating name for the Potomac and Rappahannock Trans portation Commission. We have provided mobility services for Prince William, Stafford County and the cities of Manas sas and Manassas Park for over three decades. OmniRide’s family of transit

services includes – in addition to the Express service for commuters – Metro Express service to nearby Metro stations, local service throughout the county and Manassas area and a free ridesharing program. Learn more about OmniRide at OmniRide.com.

BELLA VITA ITALIAN RESTAURANT:

‘THE GOOD LIFE’

The Italian phrase “Bella Vita” is trans lated to “The Good Life” in English. Life’s most memorable moments surround the dining table in Italy and encompass family, friends, enjoyment and good food and wine. We kindly invite you into our restaurant where you enjoy our utmost hospitality together with yummy food and unique service; you bring the family and friends to us, and we do the rest.

New management came to Bella Vita just prior to 2020. The family-run business has earned the Best of Prince William honor for the past three years: 2020, 2021, 2022. Not only do they have wonderful food, but also great customer service. Services include dine-in, catering, delivery and carry-out. Bella Vita offers a 10% discount to military service mem bers.

BRENNAN’S HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING:

OVER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

Brennan’s Heating and Air Condition ing has provided homeowners in Prince William County with quality service, sales and installation of HVAC equipment for over 40 years. Our staff of experts will work hard to solve your comfort needs, no matter if they’re residential or com mercial, large or small. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency service repairs or a complete system installation, our team of trained technicians are avail able 24/7.

Thank you to all our customers. We are looking forward to providing you with the best possible service into the future.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY LIBRARY: CHROMEBOOK LAPTOPS NOW AVAILABLE TO BORROW

Need a laptop? Prince William County Public Libraries now loans Chromebooks for three weeks at a time. Chromebooks can be requested through the online cata log at pwcva.gov/library. Please have your Prince William Public Libraries card with you when checking out a Chromebook.

Note: Chromebooks are not connected to the internet. If you need internet, you can also check out a mobile wi-fi hotspot for three weeks or use the free wi-fi available at any branch location, includ ing 24/7 access in the parking lots. Learn more: pwcva.gov/library.

MONTCLAIR FAMILY RESTAURANT: A SALUTE TO OUR MILITARY

To honor our military personnel, Montclair Family Restaurant will pro vide a 20% discount for all active duty and retired military guests, from now until Veterans Day, Nov. 11. We always support the great men and women of our military and will continue to offer discounts to say, “Thank you for your service.”

Peggy Curry is the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 Best Waitress in Prince William County. She has been with Montclair Family Restaurant for 30 years. Our cook, Gertrudis Reyes, has also been employed for 30 years and is this year’s Best Chef in Prince William.

For years, our family has been proudly serving our community fresh food at a fair price. We believe everyone deserves a home-cooked meal. We offer a large se lection of menu options, from our hearty breakfast platters and daily specials to our slow-roasted rotisserie chicken and gour met desserts. No matter what food you’re craving, we are sure to have something that satisfies.

Editor’s note: These write-ups were provided by some of the advertisers that supported this special section.

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