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Vol. 33, No. 16 | Richmond Suburban News | August 24, 2016
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Homes for Our Troops, R-CI partner for soldier By Rachel Lindsey for The Mechanicsville Local
Melody Kinser/The Local
Isaiah Hannah Childers, center, offers a salute to show his military spirit at the July Community Breakfast sponsored by American Legion Post 175 in Mechanicsville. He has become a familiar face at the breakfast since becoming friends with Richard “Dick” Bowen, left, a member of the Post. The two met at a fast food restaurant and struck up an immediate bond, with service to country a big part of their conversations. Isaiah, who suffers from Alopecia, is a favorite among the Post members. They bring him special gifts that often have a military theme. Also shown is Isaiah’s mother, Lori. For more on the special friendship Bowen and Isaiah share, turn to page 4.
MECHANICSVILLE — The nonprofit Homes for Our Troops held a Community Kickoff event on Saturday, Aug. 20, signifying the start of the build process for a specially adapted home for Army Sgt. James “JP” McGuire. R-CI Builders is the official build partner for the project. McGuire was injured while serving his second tour in Iraq. On Dec. 13, 2007, McGuire was serving as a combat engineer on foot patrol in Tunis, Iraq. While walking through the sand, he noticed copper wire. One of the soldiers didn’t see the wire, so McGuire pushed him out of the way. In doing so, McGuire stepped on the pressure plate of an improvised explosive device (IED). As a result, his right leg had to be amputated above the knee, halfway up to the thigh. A close friend also was killed in a secondary blast that day, dying in Sgt. McGuire’s arms. For his actions that day, McGuire received the Purple Heart. He also was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor. “So many people have told me I’m a hero,” McGuire said, “but I was just doing my job.”
Photo courtesy of Teresa Verity
Army Sgt. James “JP” McGuire addresses the crowd at Oak Knoll Middle School as Homes for Our Troops joins with R-CI Builders in making an adaptable home for the see HOMES, pg. 12 injured soldier and his family
HCSO: Hostage type situation ends peacefully at local home Staff Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – The Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office deployed its SWAT team and crisis negotiators Sunday evening in response to what had been reported as a domestic situation in the
8300 block of Orchard Lane in Mechanicsville. Sgt. James R. Cooper, speaking on behalf of Col. David R. Hines, sheriff, said officers arrived t the scene around 6:30 p.m. While they were en route, it was learned that a male subject was making threatening statements and was possibly armed with a firearm.
“Once deputies arrived on scene they were able to safely get the other occupants out of the house,” Cooper said. “Due to the belief the subject inside the residence was armed, the Sheriff ’s Office deployed the SWAT team and our Crisis Negotiators,” he added.
“Once on scene, negotiators were able to establish communication with the male subject.” After communication was established, the sergeant said the subject agreed to exit the residence and was taken into custody for a mental health evaluation.