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November 12, 2025

Neighbors,

Yesterday was Veterans Day.

It’s a moment to honor the generations of courageous men and women who have donned the uniform to protect our nation.

To mark the occasion, I joined the ceremony at the American Legion Dyer-Gunnell Post 180 in Vienna, and I want to thank all who have served, including the estimated 65,000 veterans who call Fairfax County home.

Last year, we commemorated the 80^th anniversary of World War II. While the war resulted in momentous changes, so did its end. For the roughly 16 million brave soldiers who returned home (including my father and four of his brothers), the GI Bill assisted them (and my father) to get jobs, pursue an education and buy homes.

It provided low-interest, no-money down home loans, and as a result, it greatly expanded homeownership and economic prosperity.

By 1956, 42% of veterans owned homes, compared to 34% of non-veterans of similar age. By one year earlier, veterans had purchased 20% of all new homes built after the war.

(Of course, these opportunities weren’t shared equally as many African American soldiers, who made up one in 13 veterans, were denied their rightful benefits. This discrimination created lasting disparities in homeownership and wealth even evident to this day.) 

Today, however, only 3 in 10 veterans know that they can secure a $0 down payment loan from the Veterans Administration, according to a survey by Mortgage Research Center, LLC. (Active-duty service personnel, select reservists and National Guard members are among those who also can qualify for these loans). 

Once veterans become homeowners, they may qualify for tax exemptions from Fairfax County.

Qualified disabled veterans and their spouses are exempt from local real estate taxes on their home, plus up to one acre of land. Two years ago, I, along with the Board of Supervisors, also voted to approve lower real estate tax rates for the surviving spouses of military service members who died in the line of duty.

Disabled veterans may also be eligible for an exemption from car taxes on a single vehicle.

(For questions and help with these exemptions, contact the Tax Relief and Exemption office in the Fairfax County Government Center, and watch this video to learn more about the office.)

Fairfax County is also supporting veterans through our new Veterans and Military Families Commission. I co-sponsored the initiative to create this new body established last year.

The commission works to connect the military community with support, find service gaps, and improve access to resources. This includes issues like home and childcare costs and access to food, employment, and mental health.

The body includes representatives from area military organizations, Fairfax County Public Schools, George Mason University, and county agencies including the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Office to End and Prevent Homelessness.

While Veterans Day is only celebrated once a year, every day is an opportunity to remember and thank our brave women and men who served us.

Regards,

Walter

• In the Community
• Attend my Education Town Hall Nov. 17
• Come to my Holiday Open House Dec. 1
• Winterfest Returns Dec. 4-6
• Donate to Older Adults in Need
• Farmers Markets Offer Food Aid
• Free Dinner for Federal Worker and Contractors
• Board and Authority Representatives Sought
• CAC Meeting at Police Driving Track
• Upcoming Land Use Meetings
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

On Monday, I attended the graduation for the recent cohort of Neighborhood Ambassadors through the county’s Opportunity Neighborhoods program.

These ambassadors attend a six-week “Community Influencer Academy” to learn how to build capacity for needs identified by their neighborhoods. As representatives for Reston Opportunity Neighborhoods, they help ensure that their communities concerns and ideas are heard by elected officials, decision-makers, and community partners.

Congratulations to Mawahib Elmubarak, Tagwa Elsaid, Eman Hamza, Iyiel Lokirimoi, Hajer Moustafa, Sereen Othman, and Sharifa Salih, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.

What’s happening: I’m holding a joint town hall meeting with Hunter Mill District School Board Member Melanie Meren on Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center. This town hall will focus on education issues, including:

• Upcoming county and school budgets
• Safe routes to schools

This will be an open forum to discuss what’s on your mind about Fairfax County Public Schools, school funding, pedestrian improvements to help kids travel to and from school safely and more. Bring your questions, issues and concerns, and let’s talk.

Send questions: If you have questions in advance, you may submit them by email with the subject line "town hall.”

Learn more: For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact my office by email or call 703-478-0283, TTY 711.

I’ll be holding my holiday open house on Monday, Dec. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston.❄️

It’s open to all, and we'll celebrate the joys of the winter season, including light refreshments and a fun sing-along with “The Reston Chorale Ambassadors.”

Come as you are but festive attire is always welcome! I hope you can stop by. For questions, email my office or call 703-478-0283.

What’s happening: Get ready to usher in the holiday season with Reston’s Winterfest on Dec. 4-6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Brown’s Chapel Park. You’ll enjoy three days of music, holiday lights, an Enchanted Forest, Grinch’s Forest, Vendor Village, food, drink, and free photos with Santa.

Once again, my office will sponsor and decorate a tree for the Enchanted Forest. This year’s forest will be even bigger, and trees will be donated to families in need at the close of Winterfest. (If your organization or business wants to sponsor a tree too, register online.)

Buy tickets now: Tickets are free for Reston Association members, and nonmember tickets are available for $20 for adults and $10 for children. Get your tickets now.

What’s happening: Donate personal care items for older adults in need through the Fairfax County Department of Family Services Adult and Aging Division’s holiday care package drive. Donations must be received by Nov. 21.

How to donate: Purchase personal care and hygiene items directly from this Amazon Wishlist.

More info: For information or questions, contact Emily Swenson, supervisor of Volunteer Solutions, by email or call 703-324-6898, TTY 711.

What’s happening: Farmers markets in Reston are offering food aid to furloughed federal workers and SNAP recipients.

Where to go: The year-round FRESHFARM Farmers Market in Reston offers a dollar-for-dollar match for any money spent up to $30 through FreshMatch. (This program provides free coupons or tokens to spend at participating farmers markets.)

🍎Furloughed or unpaid federal workers: Present your federal ID at the market information tent to receive $30 in FreshMatch coupons to spend.

🍎SNAP customers: Present your SNAP/EBT card at the FRESHFARM market information tent to receive $30 in FreshMatch, no balance required.

Because of the increased demand, there’s a limited supply of FreshMatch coupons available and lines may be long, says FARMFRESH. However, the nonprofit says it is working to increase its supply.

Until the Reston Farmers Market closes next Saturday, Nov. 22, SNAP recipients can get up to a $20 match in benefits spent. (You'll receive tokens or vouchers worth double the value charged to your EBT card up to the $20 limit.) 

How to help: FRESHFARM is holding a fundraising drive at its Reston market on Nov. 20 from 2-6 p.m. Donate at the market tent or give online, to help them reach their $15,000 goal.

The money raised will be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and turkeys from the market. Cornerstones and Food Rescue US-DC will distribute this food to those in need before Thanksgiving. 

What’s happening: Fired, tired, or furloughed federal workers and contractors are invited to join wellfed's free family event on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Vienna.

I’ll be there, along with wellfed’s special guest Congressman James Walkinshaw. The event will feature dinner and dessert for everyone, art making for kids, music and community connection.



• Registration required

The event address will be provided upon sign-up.

Background: wellfed is a social impact startup born directly from the wave of federal cuts and layoffs. It delivers programs in career transition, financial education, and wellbeing, designed to nourish and empower professionals navigating change.

What’s happening: I’m seeking Hunter Mill District residents who wish to serve as my appointed representative on the following Fairfax County boards and authorities. If you have any interest or want to know more, please contact Gwenn Minton in my office by email or call 703-478-0283.

Alcohol Safety Action Program Local Policy Board

The at-large position will serve a three-year term on this board that usually meets quarterly. The board sets policy and gives direction for the Fairfax Alcohol Safety Action Program. It’s a criminal justice program that provides community and state services to offenders convicted of driving under the influence, or other substance abuse-related charges.

Health Systems Agency Board

The open position on this board is for a health care provider, such as a nurse, doctor, or other health care professional, for a three-year term. The board meets on the second Monday of every month, and it’s responsible for improving the quality of the public and private health services provided while restraining the increasing cost to providing them.

Industrial Development Authority

The at-large position on this board is for a four-year term, and potential candidates should have an interest or background in finance. The authority helps introduce resolutions for Inova Health System Review Bonds and issues revenue bonds for all Inova hospitals. The authority meets as needed.

What’s happening: The Reston District Police Station’s Community Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. will be held at the department’s driving training facility at 3721 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantily.

With lights and sirens blaring, you’ll buckle into a cruiser for a “hot pursuit” of a suspect on the driving track. You’ll join a police driving instructor for a high-speed pursuit on the course. It’s an educational, adrenaline rush like no other. Everyone is welcome to participate.

More info: For more information, contact the CAC Chair Dave Adams by email.

Canceled: Reston Planning & Zoning Nov 17

Because there are no applications to consider, the Reston Planning and Zoning meeting previously scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17 has been canceled.

Canceled: Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Nov. 18

Because there are no applications to consider, the Hunter Mill Land Use Committee meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 has been canceled.

For questions or more information, contact Mark Goldberg-Foss by email or call 703-478-0283.



Get a Sneak Peak of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” on Nov. 14

Join ViennaVA250 for a special movie night in Vienna. Before it airs on PBS, get a sneak peek at the new Ken Burns documentary, "The American Revolution" on Friday, Nov. 14, at the Vienna Police Community Room (215 Center Street, South). View the 46-minute trailer at one of two screenings, the first at 7 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. It's a great way to celebrate the nation’s coming 250th anniversary.

Vienna Health and Wellness Expo Nov. 15

Attend the free Vienna Health, Wellness and Fitness Expo this Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. You’ll enjoy wellness talks — including by author, chef and Mediterranean lifestyle ambassador Amy Riolo — 50-plus health and fitness exhibitors, door prizes, face painting and more.

Glass Recycling Bin Temporarily Relocated Through Nov. 17

The Purple Glass Recycling Container has been temporarily relocated to 116 Maple Avenue, West (in the parking lot between Mattress Firm and Sunoco), through Nov. 17. The move is to allow for the construction of a new food composting drop-off site on Mill Street. For more information or questions, call the Vienna Department of Public Works at 703-255-6380.

Congratulations to Mayor Colbert and Town Councilmembers on Their Election

Elections for the Vienna Mayor and Town Council were held last Tuesday, and I want to congratulate Mayor Colbert and Councilmembers Chuck Anderson, Roy Baldwin, Doug Francis, Dann Nash, Jessica Ramakis and Howard Springsteen on their elections. They will be sworn in on Jan. 2 at the Vienna Town Hall. I look forward to continuing to work with them, including the two newest Councilmembers Francis and Nash!

👠Watch “A Drag Queen Christmas” hosted by Nina West on Nov. 13 at Capital One Hall.

🎭South Lakes High School presents the play “A Monster Calls” on Nov. 14-15 and 21-22.

💬Artist, historian and educator Rose Powhatan offers a workshop on the original indigenous inhabitants of Falls Church and Fairfax County on Nov. 15.

🎭Herndon High School presents “Arsenic and Old Lace” on Nov. 14-16.

🩺 Attend the Vienna Health, Wellness and Fitness Expo on Nov. 15 at the Vienna Community Center.

🤣 Laugh with comedian Dusty Slay on Nov. 15 at Capital One Hall.

🍫 Attend the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival on Nov. 15-16 at the Dulles Expo Center.

📖 Join a conversation with author Brian Goldstone about his book “There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America" on Nov. 17 at 1^st Stage.

🧘🏽‍♀️Take a gentle chair yoga class for gardeners sponsored by the Five Hills Garden Club on Nov. 18 at the Vienna Presbyterian Church.

🎞️Watch “Casablanca” on Nov. 19 at Senior Movie Day at Reston Town Center.

🎤Join the "The Sound of Music" Sing-Along on Nov. 19 at Reston Community Center.

📚Join David Price’s virtual talk on Nov. 20 about his new book “Winning the Ten Crucial Days: The Keys to Victory in George Washington’s Legendary Winter Campaign.”

💎Find a treasure at the 33rd annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show on Nov. 22-23 at George Mason University.

👩🏽‍🚀Live puppetry show “Marooned! A Space Comedy” on Nov. 23 at Reston Community Center.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.