OCCOQUAN, Va. — On your next trip to Occoquan, you may see historic buildings and pretty scenes, but one thing you’re not going to see is the old Merchant’s Mill, which was once located in historic Occoquan. The mill burned down in 1924, but one resident of Occoquan, Dr. James Walbert, has found a way to revive the memory of Merchant’s Mill – he’s constructed a scale model of the mill for residents and tourists.
On Saturday, Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta and town residents gathered at Town Hall to hear Walbert speak on the history of Merchant’s Mill, and the arduous process he underwent to construct a scale model of the mill. Walbert shared the step by step process he used to construct the model, showing photos and dimensional drawings to further demonstrate the process.
The model, which can be seen at the Mill Museum on Mill Street, was the culmination of almost a year’s worth of work, and is an excellent replica of the mill, based on gathered photos and information found in records.
The model stands a quarter inch to one foot in scale of the original mill, was constructed using construction foam, wood, and other traditional materials, and is full of precise and immaculate details. While some parts of the mill were unable to be researched, requiring Walbert to use some skillful guesswork, with the help of the Historical Society, and Mayor Porta’s book in the Arcadia series on the town of Occoquan, Walbert was able to make a model that is the exact image of Merchant’s Mill.
Residents and patrons are able to see the model of Merchant’s Mill at the Mill Museum in Occoquan, daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Mill Museum is operated by the Occoquan Historical Society.
By Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos
Quantico Sentry
QUANTICO, Va. – More than 220 candidates accepted the grueling challenge of Officer Candidate School training and after 10 weeks, 168 of them marched on to the parade deck there and graduated on Saturday.
The mission of OCS is to train, evaluate and screen officer candidates to ensure they possess the moral, intellectual and physical qualities for commissioning, and the leadership potential to serve successfully as company grade officers in the operating forces.
“Training has been good,” said Maj. Jason P. Koeck, company commander for Charlie Co. “Over the past 10 weeks the candidates have experienced extremes in terms of weather, hot and cold. They took on those challenges and pushed through the physical and mental obstacles we threw at them here.”
While on the parade deck, the candidates showed what they’d learned with their rifles during a Manual of Arms demonstration.
“It’s a sight I’ll never forget,” said Mark Reed, a proud parent who traveled from Dallas to see his son graduate. “When he first told me he wanted to be a Marine officer, I was proud of him, scared like heck, but damn proud of him. Seeing him on the parade deck, in his uniform, well, let’s just say I’m proud to call him my son.”
Guest of honor Lt. Gen. Dennis J Hejlik, commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Command, had a few words to say to the candidates and their families.
“You are the best of the best,” Hejlik said “You have worked hard to get here. Take what you learned and instill that into the Marines you are going to lead. To the families of these candidates, I want to thank you, because, if it were not for your support, these young men and women would not be here today.
After the graduation ceremony, a commissioning ceremony was held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps where the candidates’ families filled the museum to see their loved ones officially become second lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“It’s a great feeling,” said 2nd Lt. Kevin Towler, as his wife pinned on his gold bar to his service alpha uniform. “It’s been a long 10 weeks. There were a lot of trying times, but I pushed forward. I’ve learned a lot about myself and I look forward to leading Marines.”
The newly appointed officers will face new challenges as they begin their six month training at The Basic School aboard Quantico, where they will learn everything it takes to lead Marines.
STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. -- A new video shows two males who are suspected of setting fire to a school bus fleeing the scene of the crime.
The video was captured at 12:55 a.m. Saturday outside Ferry Farm Elementary School at 20 Pendleton Road in Stafford County. A short time later, someone called 911 to report a school bus engulfed in flames.
No one was injured in the blaze, said Stafford fire and rescue spokesman Mark Doyle.
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STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. -- Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County just became more visitor friendly.
The preserve, located in the Aquia District, just opened a new parking facility that will accommodate up to 20 cars. The $200,000 parking lot is located at Brooke Road and Sentinel Ridge Lane.
“We have worked for a long time to make Crow’s Nest into what it is today – a place to come and visit, to hike, kayak, and to see the beauty of the preserve,” said Stafford Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde.
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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will temporarily reduce parking in the Route 630 (Courthouse Road) Commuter Parking Lot in Stafford County by approximately 40 spaces on Wednesday, Apr. 4 and Thursday, Apr. 5. The reduction in parking space will allow crews to upgrade 16 overhead lights located within the lot.
The work will improve the overall lighting function in the lot and minimize the need for general maintenance.
The 539 space parking facility is located off of Route 630 just west of I-95. The spaces that will be impacted by this work are located around the base of each light pole.
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Public will weigh in on Stafford budget
Fredericksburg.com reports The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will hear county residents' comments about the proposed 2012-13 budget and tax rate on Wednesday evening.
Va. schools get about $22M from Mega Millions sales
WTOP.com reports No one in Virginia may have won the Mega Millions jackpot, but lottery officials say the state's public schools were big winners.
Airport authority asks for loan from Stafford
Fredericksburg.com reports The Stafford Regional Airport Authority has asked the county for a $1.4 million loan to construct a new, permanent terminal building.
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DALE CITY, Va. — Fire crews were called to a wooded area in Dale City to douse a brush fire that claimed two acres of land.
Crews were called about 4 p.m. Tuesday to the area of Mapledale Avenue and Mahoney Drive after a fire was found in a wooded area behind several homes. The woods sit adjacent to Andrew Leitch Park, home of the Prince William County Park Authority’s Waterworks Park.
Crews on the scene said they initially were called to Mahoney Drive but could also access the burning brush from Rapshody Court. A creek lies in the woods where the blaze was found and flames burned brush all the way up to the creek, an incident official said.
This is the latest in a series of brush fires in this area, the official added.
LAKE RIDGE, Va. — On Tuesday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m., fire and rescue units were dispatched to a townhouse fire located in the 12400 block of Skipper Circle in Lake Ridge.
Fire and rescue units, upon arrival, were met by the residents stating the fire was in the kitchen but was extinguished.
Everyone safely evacuated. No injuries reported.
Three adults and four children were displaced.
American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist families.
Preliminary damages are estimated at $3000.00.
Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the origin of the fire was the stovetop; the cause of the fire was accidental.
-Press release
QUANTICO, Va. — Quantico’s top official is calling it quits after 30 years in the Marine Corps.
Col. Daniel J. Choike next month will retire as the commander of Quantico Marine Corps Base, a position he’s held for the past three years, reports WTOP.com.
Choike said he plans to remain in the area with his wife, telling the radio station that Quantico is their home.
Choike was influential on a recent BRAC panel that oversaw the relocation of 6,500 federal workers to Quantico. So far, the relocation of workers from office buildings in Arlington –with access to Metro – has not produced any significant traffic delays in the area.
The top commander also urged Stafford County officials in 2010 to consider the munitions ranges on base and the noise they produce when planning for future development in the North Stafford and Boswells Corner areas. Boswell’s Corner is the home to the Quantico Corporate Center, a thriving business park that could be home to a new technology and research center.
