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Vol. 35, No. 27 | Richmond Suburban News | November 7, 2018
Military service is in their genes Brooks brothers prove that service to their country really is a family affair By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
Jim Ridolphi file photo
Hanover Veterans Memorial Committee member Al Salazar stands guard over a memorial wreath that was placed at the foot of the Hanover Veterans Memorial during the 2017 ceremony.
County to honor military veterans HANOVER – A tradition will continue on Sunday, Nov. 11, when Hanover County honors its military veterans at 2 p.m. with a Veterans Day ceremony at the Hanover Veterans Memorial at Hanover Wayside Park. Veterans who served and are currently serving to insure our freedom with be honored. Dr. Steve Starzer, second lieutenant, United States Air Force, and pastor of Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, will present the keynote address at the cersee COUNTY, pg. 4
MECHANICSVILLE – Their ancestors were slaves. They have experienced the hatred of racism. But the Brooks brothers have proven their strength – and patriotic spirit -- time and again as veterans of the United States military. First and foremost, however, is their devotion to serving God. Despite the trials and tribulations they have encountered along life’s journey, their faith is steadfast. Last week, five of the six brothers – Frazier, Leon, Gary, Gerald and Avus – shared their story as we prepare to observe Veterans Day. The sixth, and youngest, Eric, was contacted by phone to add his perspective. Military service seems to be in the genes as these brothers have followed in the footsteps of their greatgreatgrandf a t h e r, greatgrandERIC BROOKS f at h e r, grandfather and father. Their g re at - g re at - g r an d f at h e r, Charles Lewis Brooks, served
Melody Kinser/The Local
The Brooks brothers of Pine Hill in Mechanicsville prepare to observe Veterans Day with all having served their country in the military. It’s a family tradition, going back to their great-greatgrandfather. Shown are, from left, front, Leon and Gary, and, back, Avus, Gerald and Frazier.
in World War II. William Oscar Brooks, their father, was in
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
World War II. The Brooks brothers are the
Atlee Y gets land for new facility
sons of the late Oscar and Irene Brooks of Mechanicsville. All graduated from John M. Gandy High School with the exception of Eric who graduated from Lee-Davis High School. They lived on property called Pine Hill, which has been in their family since the mid-1800s. The Brooks family has been there since at least 1814 when Andrew Brooks was enslaved and lived on the property. Family members have traced their ancestors’ arrival in Hanover County to 1796. The brothers are members of First Union Baptist Church, which is directly across the road from Pine Hill and is the place of worship where their ancestors, along with 20-plus others built the church. For 55 years, they have been singing gospel as The Soul Seekers. Frazier, the oldest, was the first black Army and Coast Guard recruiter in Virginia. He was with the 176th Infantry Brigade in Transportation when “my unit got called to Vietnam. I was exempted because I didn’t have but six months left in the military, and I came out and joined the Army National Guard.” “I became a recruiter and I was there for full military time about 15 years; came out
MECHANICSVILLE -When the Atlee YMCA announced its closing in 2014, it caused more than a stir in the community, and supporters of the facility stepped up in a campaign to save the popular site. “The Atlee Station Family Y was chartered in 2011 and came very close to closing in 2014,” said Atlee associate director Holly Austin. “Through the passionate advocacy of our dedicated members and community, we stayed open. We formed a volunteer branch Board of Management and started to build our case for supporting our community.” The results have been impressive. “Since that time, our membership, program participation, philanthropic support, and community outreach have all grown,” Austin said. In the ensuing years, membership and interest in the community Y have increased, and, last week, the Atlee YMCA announced the acquisition of land for a
see BROOKS, pg. 15
see ATLEE Y, pg. 9
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local