Humanity is almost a quarter of the way through the 21st century and Virginia — home to 70% of the world’s data centers — is on the frontlines of the latest emerging technology: artificial intelligence, or AI.

The prevalence of data centers and the rising role of AI don’t equate to a dystopian battle between humans and machine control, though (at least at the moment). Rather, these issues are at the center of a debate over localities’ authority and revenue benefits, historic preservation, environmental considerations, and electricity demand and utility rate projections, all shaped by ever-increasing internet use.

The state is studying data center development

Northern Virginia, the densely populated suburbs and exurbs located just outside the nation’s capital, is home to 70% of the world’s data centers, the huge warehouses that store computers’ processing equipment, internet network servers and data drives. With people increasingly using web-based programs on an average of 22 internet-connected devices in homes, data centers are seen to be needed more than ever.

While data centers are proposed as potential drivers of economic benefits for localities, a number of Virginians have expressed concerns about the proliferation of the warehouses in the state and their effect on communities where they’re located.

“Is it worth losing all your water, and having noise pollution and everything else to get revenue for some of the things you need?” said Mary Damone, 67, who moved to the Orange County area a few years ago, where a 732-acre data center park development has been proposed.

Fairfax County resident Chris Ambrose, 63, who, like Damone, was also at a recent press conference raising concerns over data center development, said the development of thousands of homes in the proposal is bad enough.

“Then you add the data centers to it, and the transmission lines, the impact on the battlefields,” Ambrose said. “If they need more revenue, you would think it would be something more measured. The magnitude is just crazy. It’s off the charts.”

Josh Levi, president of the Data Center Coalition, said the industry looks forward to supporting JLARC and discussing the findings when the study is done.

“Virginia continues to distinguish itself as one of the most dynamic and important markets for the digital infrastructure that enables our innovation economy and meets the growing, collective computing demands of individuals and organizations of all size,” Levi said.

A map of data centers in Virginia (Courtesy of Virginia Economic Development Partnership)

This past legislative session, lawmakers introduced over a dozen bills to address some of the public’s concerns over how data centers could impact water demand, power delivery costs and more, but they were all sent to the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission, the state’s policy research arm, to develop policy proposal recommendations.

“We have a number of research activities planned or underway for this study,” said Mark Gribbin, the JLARC project lead for the data center study, at a meeting last week outlining the study’s goals.

“Foremost, we’ll have a high level of engagement with local communities and data center companies,” said Gribbin. “We’re also working closely with utilities, local governments and state regulators, especially on questions related to development, water, air and energy,”

In the few months since those legislative deferrals, a battlefield in Orange County has been listed as one of the 11 most endangered sites in the country because of data center development, and Google announced a $1 billion investment to expand their data center campus in Reston.

Both events have re-upped the conversation over how to provide data centers their needed electrons, which could be delivered through an improved transmission system, after a recent regulatory overhaul of how such systems are planned.

“If the generation isn’t there to meet a proposed data center’s needs, the data center doesn’t [need to] locate in Virginia or anywhere else that can’t meet its load,” said Walton Shepherd, Virginia Policy Director with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Virginia is not responsible for the running of the internet, the data center operators largely are. The solution we need to solve is a cleaner grid.  We have the tools to do so, and that’s with or without data centers.”

Local, historic concerns

In Orange County, Wilderness Crossing data center received national attention for its proposed development near a Civil War-era battlefield, fueled by concerns after data centers were built near other historic sites in Loudoun and Prince William counties in addition to other parts of the state.

The proposed Wilderness Crossing site near  Wilderness Battlefield sprawls across 2,600 acres, 732 of which  would accommodate data centers — which can typically have a footprint of over 100,000 square feet each and reach 90 feet tall —  and distribution warehouses. The site plan also envisions over 5,000 residential units and 200,000 square feet of mixed commercial use buildings, and a realigning of Route 20.

“If this development goes forward as approved, there will be intense pressure on the existing road network,” said Bob Lookabill, president of the Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield, at the press conference announcing concerns over the Wilderness Crossing proposal.

The development would also obstruct the views of Virginia’s hillside, take up forested land, sit on abandoned gold mines and draw on water from the Rapidan River, which experienced drought-like conditions last year. Concerns about data centers’ impact on local waterways have been echoed around the state.

A press conference about the Wilderness Crossing data center proposal. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

The area’s water is served by the Rapidan Service Authority. According to its recently approved water permit, obtained by the Virginia Mercury, the Department of Environmental Quality rejected an initial request finalized after the Wilderness Crossing rezoning that sought to pull more water for projected demand increase.

“What if there is a drought?” said Tim Cywinksi, communications director for the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, while speaking about another data center proposal in Caroline County during a webinar. “Are we going to continue to supply what becomes a diminishing resource to an industry that’s powering AI? Or are we going to give it to families to make sure they need it? … This is why protective policy is so important.”

Other data center proposals appear to show that the developments would encroach on historic sites statewide, such as Manassas National Battlefield Park, Culpeper National Cemetery, Brandy Station, Sweet Run State Park and Savage Station Battlefield.

Two historic Black graveyards belonging to the Gaskins family in the Brentsville area of Prince William County are alleged to have been damaged from the construction of a data center and a nearby power substation.

“Without comprehensive action from our elected leaders, countless historic sites [and] national parks may continue to fall victim to this unchecked and unregulated data center growth,” said Kyle Hart, mid-atlantic field representative at the National Park Conservation Service during the May 1 press conference.

The pressure to these sites has already been largely seen in Loudoun and Prince William counties, which have been dubbed Data Center Alley, and recently approved a Digital Gateway rezoning in their respective jurisdictions.

“We have to have a better way [to] think it through and it needs to be transparent,” said Chris Miller, president of the Piedmont Environmental Council, a conservation organization focused on preserving central Virginia’s countryside. The group won a lawsuit against Orange County that forced the release of previously withheld information on the Wilderness Crossing proposal. “I think everyone wants a continued investment in the economy and [to be] prosperous, but you want it done in a way that doesn’t destroy the underlying quality of life.”

Data center developments have been continually proposed throughout Virginia and are welcomed by some communities. A 1,200-acre data center site was recently approved in Hanover County. The Delta Lab, an energy innovation initiative focused on Southwest Virginia, has studied locating one in that region that could use water from mines for cooling.

Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax County, said at the recent JLARC meeting, two vacant buildings along the beltway in his district are being converted into an Amazon Web Services data center, without controversy.

“It was a perfect place for it, actually,” Sickles said. “We need to find more perfect places in Virginia that are close to power, and can be shielded from the public. It’s going to be a challenge for everybody because I don’t think we want to give up on this industry.”

$1 billion investment

Just days before the concern over Wilderness Crossing became public, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that Google, one of the biggest companies in the world, would expand its data center campuses from two facilities to three.

“We’re super excited about it,” said Ruth Porat, president, chief financial officer and chief investment officer of both Google and its parent company Alphabet, of the expansion. “The investments we’ve made today are not only important investments in infrastructure, but they’ve also added 3,500 jobs in Virginia, and they supported a billion dollars of economic activity.”

Google completed the first phase of construction on the first two data centers in 2019 with a $1.2 billion investment in the state.

The third center’s creation will usher in an AI Opportunity Fund seeded with $75 million from the company’s philanthropic arm, Google.org. The fund will help people around the county earn online training certifications. The program joins a separate Grow with Google program, already underway, that teamed with Northern Virginia Community College to offer a new free cyber security career certificate.

“Since 2019, this innovative public-private partnership has increased opportunities for students to join the technology workforce,” said Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA, in a statement. Kress added that the partnership  “helps close the skills gap and greatly expands the region’s talent pool.”

A driving force for the online certifications through the opportunity fund, would be leveraging AI. The governor leaned into the “accelerator” allegory during the announcement, highlighting AI’s ability to hasten the pace for certifications to be awarded.

“What’s been so exciting is that this parallel path, this moment of accelerator and brakes, is enabling confidence as we move forward to move forward with an expedited pace,” Youngkin said. “That is where breakthroughs can occur.”

Data centers in Virginia have provided $2.2 billion in wages for citizens, and 25% of revenue to Loudoun County have gone into “essential services” like schools, social services and other public programs, Youngkin added.

Impact on power demand

Increased internet usage, including AI, requires data centers to use more electricity. Computing for AI is measured by an entirely new computing graphic processing unit, or GPU.

“Historically, a single data center typically had a demand of 30 megawatts or greater,” Dominion Energy Virginia President Bob Blue said in the utility’s first quarter earnings call. “However, we’re now receiving individual requests for demand of 60 megawatts to 90 megawatts or greater, and it hasn’t stopped there.”

Larger data center campuses with multiple buildings can “require total capacity ranging from 300 megawatts to as many as several gigawatts,” Blue added.

The utility has connected 94 data centers to date and expects to connect another 15 this year, Blue also told investors. Power Engineering reported on a Securities Exchange Commision annual filing that in 2023 and 2022, 24% and 21% of electricity sales from Dominion were to data centers, respectively.

“The concentration of data centers primarily in Loudoun County, Virginia represents a unique challenge and requires significant investments in electric transmission facilities to meet the growing demand,” the SEC filing states.

While the data center computers have become more efficient through a power usage effectiveness score — a rate that determines how efficiently energy is processed for the web-based service to reach internet users — a study from McKinsey & Company found that data center power demand is expected to more than double across the country from from 17 GW to 35 GW. Some of that power could come from Dominion’s 176-turbine  offshore wind project,  expected to generate 2.6 GW of electricity, or enough to power 660,000 homes.

“The point is that they’re packing more and more into less space,” Miller said. “How are we going to meet that load?”

Dominion projects its load growth, which includes data centers and vehicle electrification, to increase from 17 gigawatts in 2023 to 33 gigawatt in 2048, though environmental groups are skeptical of growth proposals being modeled accurately.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative expects to increase its peak electric load by more than 12% per year over the next 15 years, “driven almost exclusively by data centers.”

“NOVEC works one-on-one with each new data center, as each new high-load customer presents unique issues to NOVEC and its distribution facilities,” said Jim East, communications manager at electric cooperative. “Part of this includes meeting the special energy supply and construction schedule needs, while always maintaining the high degree of reliability and affordability for all remaining customers.”

To meet the demand for data centers, Dominion has included renewable energy technology in its long-term, non-binding integrated resource plan, but is also proposing a natural gas plant, which environmental groups continue to oppose, including protests at a Richmond outdoor festival the utility sponsored. 

Protestors to Dominion’s proposed natural gas plant display a sign during the Riverrock festival in Richmond. (Courtesy photo)

Teresa Hall, a spokeswoman for Appalachian Power Company, Virginia’s second largest utility that serves Southwest Virginia, noted that “annual power generation over the last 20 years has stayed relatively flat until now.” The uptick, she said, is thanks to data centers.

“With data centers/increased internet use and AI, the landscape is changing quickly,” Hall said, adding that data centers present a unique challenge because they “require a lot of power – commonly 300 MW or more, which is enough to power all of the homes in a medium-size city.”

The company is facing the challenge head-on, Hall said.

“To date, we’ve been able to accommodate almost any size customer that has expressed an interest in our service territory. As we go forward, we know we will need additional cooperation.”

Virginia’s leaders have increasingly expressed the need for new technologies such as small modular reactors, tinier versions of traditional nuclear plants that could power a small city like Roanoke with a population of 100,000. Proponents say SMRs could provide baseload, around-the-clock power when renewable technology can’t produce it. The SMRs are intended to provide between 300 to 500 megawatts of power, but none have been turned on in the United States since NuScale pulled the plug on its effort to build one in Idaho due to cost concerns.

Shepherd, with the NRDC, said that if SMRs are built, “they’re so far off. I don’t think those are going to implicate the data center’s decision on where and when it builds in a place where it is able to get power.”

Another part of the dialogue focuses on technologies like battery storage and a recently announced 1920 rule from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, to increase planning for transmission lines across state lines. FERC’s new guidance includes transmission lines that may need to be upgraded from a traditional 110 kilovolt to up to 500 kilovolt capacity, in order to supply data centers.

“Transmission developers can now plan projects that address a multitude of needs that are anticipated to develop over a long-term horizon more efficiently and cost-effectively for customers,” stated Ben Fowke, president and CEO of American Electric Power, the parent company of Appalachian Power Company, in U.S. Senate committee testimony this week.

The regional rule will also help areas pull on generation sources that may be located in other areas of the PJM Interconnection regional grid that Virginia is a member of.

“Every resource backs up every other, but only if you have the transmission required,” said Gamlich.

A chart showing the load growth for Dominion. (Courtesy of Dominion’s Integrated Resource Plan)

In 2023, Virginia’s legislature passed a bill to truncate a State Corporation Commission review of a transmission line proposal from PJM Interconnection. The line is needed to deliver power for data center development in Virginia and the $670 million project cost is recovered from ratepayers in Virginia.

There’s also an opportunity to strengthen existing transmission lines through grid enhancing technologies, or GETs, and separate ways to utilize a demand side management and energy efficiency programs to reduce the amount of strain on the grid. It can also help get around the 26 gigawatts of electricity stuck in a queue awaiting approval from PJM, 23% of which is from Virginia, said Kim Jemaine, director at Advanced Energy United.

“In the states where they have been adopted at a medium level, GETs have unlocked 30% additional capacity from existing infrastructure and have allowed twice as many new energy projects to be integrated,” said Kim Jemaine, director at Advanced Energy United. Jermaine said GETs “can be installed with little to no downtime and at a fraction of the cost of new infrastructure.

Utilities have said they can’t rely on energy efficiency efforts, like homeowners using smart thermostats to control consumption, because the end use may not keep up with those behaviors. But that dismissal is a “red herring,” Shepherd said. Measuring the load reductions delivered through energy efficiency programs and making actionable plans based on those measurements is not impossible, Shepherd added.

“I think folks need to chill out and recognize the regular nature of grid planning. It’s just a matter of rolling up our sleeves a little further to make sure it’s done correctly.”

Perhaps ironically, as manufacturing and society in general electrifies more, AI might be able to help with those demand side management programs, as noted by the U.S. Department of Energy.

“AI has the potential to significantly improve all these areas of grid management,” the report stated, and can be a tool that models for capacity and transmission studies, compliance and review for federal permitting, forecasting renewable energy production and creating applications to enhance resilience.

Levi, with the Data Center Coalition, said the “industry is committed to leaning in as an engaged partner at this pivotal time. Collectively, we can meet the moment and ensure a clean, reliable, affordable, and resilient electric system that supports the digitization of our economy, widespread vehicle and building electrification, the onshoring of advanced manufacturing, growth in controlled environment agriculture, and other 21st-century economic drivers.”

Local Revenue

But the money.

The local revenue generated by data centers supports Loudoun and Prince William counties — the latter of which could add $54 million in revenue, with $19 million going toward schools and $21 million offsetting a real estate tax increase — as a result of increasing its data center tax from $2.15 to $3.70 per $100 assessed value.

Henrico County created a $60 million affordable housing fund with revenue from data centers in order to waive water and sewer connection fees and building permit fees.

“We’re doing something different,” Board Chairman Tyrone Nelson said, according to Richmond BizSense. “We may be the only locality in the commonwealth, maybe in the country, dedicating a single revenue source to address a crisis like this in our community.”

Even property owners that sell their land for development of a data center can reap benefits. But, as evidenced by a Prince William County lawsuit,  the spoils don’t always go to the seller  if a legal challenge over the rezoning holds up their profits as the property value and tax increase remains.

The report on Project Oasis proposal in Southwest Virginia said development of a 250,000 square foot “hyperscale” data center with 36 MW of demand could generate an estimated $464 million in capital investment and 40 indirect jobs.

Another report by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership found that 35 data centers, which are cited as the largest industry in the state, invested $23 billion into the economy while getting almost $1 billion in tax relief in exchange for its economic inputs. The report found a 14% average annual return on incentive for the years 2022 through 2027.

“JLARC estimated [in 2019] that 90 percent of the data center investment made by the companies that benefit from the DCRSUT exemption would not have occurred in Virginia without the exemption,” the report stated.

A breakdown of investment and tax breaks. (Courtesy of Virginia Economic Development Partnership).

Although localities may be raking in local revenue benefits, those tax incentives for data centers cancel out cash that could be padding state coffers, which similarly could go toward education and other services.

“There’s different layers to look at,” said Jackson Miller, director of state power sector policy, also at the NRDC. “We just think that if you’re going to give away that revenue, which is taxpayer public money, then it needs to be conditioned with requirements to maximize energy efficiency, with requirements to maximize and ensure that that facility is bearing its costs and paying for it on the grid so ratepayers don’t get a double- whammy.”

Along with a bill to study if data centers or ratepayers foot the bill for transmission upgrades, a separate bill sent to JLARC this session came from Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, that would’ve required data centers to achieve a certain computing efficiency score, known as a PUE, in order to receive state tax breaks.

The data center companies have climate improving commitments, but local permitting pushback to renewable energy sources, including solar, present challenges.

The centers should “ be required to be 100% renewable before they turn the lights on if they’re serious about their publicly stated comments,” said Hart, with the National Park Conservation Service.

The data center industry’s benefits to Virginia’s economy include the creation of 12,140 direct jobs, including engineers, building control specialists, security, server technicians, logistics professionals, construction management, health and safety specialists, and food services. The future benefits — and challenges — of data center development in the state remain to be seen.

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and Twitter.

During hospital week, Fauquier Health recently recognized 27 outstanding employees as Mercy Award nominees. The Mercy Award, the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive, is named in memory of Scott Mercy, Lifepoint’s founding chairman. Mercy believed that a group of people working together toward a common vision could accomplish great things.

Steve Wojcik, Fauquier Health Board of Trustees Chair, Patricia Jeffries, and Rebecca Segal, Fauquier Health CEO

The nominations for the Mercy Award are submitted by staff at Fauquier Health and recognize exceptional commitment to patients, fellow employees, and the community. This year’s Mercy Award winner is Patricia Jeffries, BSN, RN, Director of Case Management.

“The Mercy Award commends individuals who consistently go beyond the call of duty in serving our patients and our community,” said Rebecca Segal, Fauquier Health CEO. “Patty has been with Fauquier Health for more than 30 years and is known throughout our organization as a great team member and a champion for patient safety. Her leadership and dedication to both Fauquier Health and our community is outstanding. Patty demonstrates a level of commitment and caring that transcends the everyday. She inspires others with compassion, dedication, and honesty. I feel honored to know Patty.”

Several nominations were submitted for Patty, highlighting her care for others and her selflessness in volunteering for community and employee events, even at night and on weekends. “Patty is the one who notices all the little things,” stated one nomination. “She is the one who remembers anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrations. She even works with the kitchen staff to make special birthdays for patients. She cares passionately about the well-being and resilience of staff and patients alike.” Another nomination read, “Patty is a fixture at every health fair and community event. She has a true servant’s heart. Patty makes sure everyone feels valued and heard.”

The Mercy Award is a testament to the incredible contributions of individuals like Patty Jeffries, who embody the spirit of service and dedication that Scott Mercy envisioned. Her tireless efforts and compassionate nature make her an invaluable asset to Fauquier Health and its community.

About Fauquier Health

Fauquier Health is committed to providing high-quality healthcare services to the residents of Warrenton, Virginia, and the surrounding areas. As part of the Lifepoint Health network, Fauquier Health strives to enhance the overall health and well-being of the community through exceptional patient care, community involvement, and a dedication to excellence.

For more information, visit the Fauquier Health website.

About Lifepoint Health

Lifepoint Health is a leading healthcare organization dedicated to making communities healthier. With a network of hospitals, outpatient facilities, and healthcare providers, Lifepoint Health delivers quality care and fosters a culture of service and collaboration.

For more information, visit the Lifepoint Health website.

We asked local co-sponsors Jim Justice (Chester Street Tavern) and “Skip” Rogers (Able Forces Foundation) for a perspective on their initial Salute to Service Memorial Day weekend event. It was a musically-anchored event in the Gazebo Village Commons Park area downtown, with a “hard opening” at 1 p.m. that gave Rogers time to return from his participation in the wreath laying at Malcolm Barr Sr.’s noon-launched Dog of War Garden ceremony at the Humane Society of Warren County Julia Wagner Animal Shelter.

“Our Inaugural Memorial Day ‘Salute To Service’ was an incredible day filled with remembrance of fallen heroes, community support, incredible music and food, and tremendous memories of being together with friends and family,” Rogers replied, adding a heartfelt, “God Bless all who participated and supported this wonderful community event for Front Royal. We look forward to next year”.

As do we, Skip, as do we.

Lay Minister Michael Williams gives his second benediction of the day during the 1 p.m. hard opening of Salute to Service, having done the same at the Dogs of War Memorial service at noon, as co-sponsor ‘Skip’ Rogers listens to right. Below, Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Sam Tate jams with friends Sunny Lane and the Dirty Hippies.

Co-sponsor Jim Justice of The Chester Street Tavern, which served as a musical staging and jamming area across from the park, asked that we acknowledge the full complement of sponsoring agencies, businesses, musicians, exhibitors, vendors, and individuals that made the above-described “community event” possible. We replied that if he had gone to the trouble to list them all, we would do our best to oblige. So, here they are:

“Our veteran support foundations: Skip and Kathy Rogers of Able Forces Foundation, and Chris Jacobson and team of Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“Our primary sponsors, including musicians: Sam Tate, The Hobo Mariners, Sunny Lane and the Dirty Hippies, Sally Mae Foster; and Gysea Soul; along with Moose Lodge, 4Js Farm and Brewery, Thru w/Therapy, Quecon Inc., Passage Creek Rising, Buckhead Farm, The Giving Tree, National Media Services.

Sam Tate did some solo performing Friday evening in co-sponsor Jim Justice’s Chester St. Tavern. Below, Tate with co-sponsors Rogers and Justice. ‘I hope tomorrow is as great as tonight,’ Tate told his audience at the end of his stellar Friday evening indoor presentation of his award-winning material.

“Exhibitors: the American Legion, Sons of the Revolutionary War, Honor Flight Top of Virginia, Virginia Department of Veteran Services; and our two veteran food vendors; brothers Rick Gardner (Carolina Dreamin) and Tim Gardner (Firestorm Pizza)

“To the contributing volunteers of Chester Street Tavern, including Deb Moyer, Suzanne Obetz, Hank Gorecki, and Shaireese Fletcher.

“Other local sponsors included: the Virginia Beer Museum, Malcolm Barr, Glenn Wood, Key Move Properties, and Farm Bureau Virginia, Royal Examiner, The River 95.3.

“And lest we forget the town staff, including Lizi Lewis, Scott Curry, and our local law enforcement officers,” Justice almost concluded. – Uh oh, do we really want to include this last one?!? – Well, he’ll probably write something bad about us if we edit him out, so why not? “And lastly, to our media master Roger Bianchini,” Justice finished with a nod our way.

Hey, just doing my job in alerting this community to what appeared to be, and was, an outstanding addition to Front Royal and Warren County’s Memorial Day weekend celebration, with a nod to our associate Malcolm Barr Sr. and his related story’s acknowledged co-conspirators Marine Lt. Col. Rob MacDougall, Able Forces “Skip” Rogers, among others in this community.

And a few more musical shots from the “Salute to Service” inaugural offering in memory of, not only our nation and community’s fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who survived and mourn those lost. Bless them all.

‘Captain Rich’ and Michelle of the Hobo Mariners helped keep the entertainment rolling as a Veterans Bikers club rolled in early in the afternoon.

And to make their point, Sunny Lane and the Dirty Hippies’ on their own, did an outstanding version of the Mama & Papas hippie-era song, ‘California Dreaming’ on such (a dirty hippies) winter’s night.’

I asked our contributing writer Malcolm Barr Sr., a lifelong journalist and retired U.S. government public affairs officer, with a lifelong affection for animals, particularly dogs, that he has helped rescue and cared for most of his 91 years and counting, for a perspective on what he has indicated this year will be his last organizationally overseeing of the Dogs of War Garden Memorial Day weekend ceremony at the Humane Society of Warren County’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter. Below is his response, reflecting on quite the local Memorial Day weekend personal history.

Following in the text and beyond is a pictorial account of the Saturday noon, May 25, Dogs of War Garden ceremony beginning with the bagpipe call of Jim Lundt flanked by Malcolm Barr Sr. and Kayla Wines to the left, as the R-MA Color Guard prepares, along with guests. Royal Examiner Still Photos Roger Bianchini, video by Mark Williams.

It might also be noted that when Barr and his late wife Carol retired to Front Royal in 2002, their son Malcolm Jr. attended and graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy, ultimately serving in Iraq with the U.S. Air Force – Glad you made it home, Malcolm Junior.

And God bless my friend, and our contributing writer, for his love of animals, especially dogs and dogs of service, and of those dogs of service and their handlers. And bless ALL veterans who have made war’s ultimate sacrifice when it was called upon to be given. And God Bless those lost-to-conflict veterans’ families and friends left behind to mourn their sacrifice.

Valley Chorale members open the ceremony with the Anthem and later added a stirring version of ‘Shenandoah’ among their offerings.

A Memorial Day weekend reflection by Malcolm Barr Sr.

More than a decade ago, the streets of Front Royal were silent on Memorial Day weekend. No ceremony, no salute to the fallen of all wars since the civil war, no bands playing, just a federal holiday weekend with folks taking advantage of store sales. For whatever reason, tributes to the fallen in Front Royal and Warren County had, in fact, fallen by the wayside.

Raised as a child in war-torn England through the years of World War II (1939-45), and serving in the Royal Air Force (UK) in a post-war “clean up” capacity (1951-54), I became deeply aware of the lives lost in that war, and subsequent wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, attending the traditional November 11 “Armistice Day” ceremonies in England, Canada and the United States.

My life as a journalist evolved from sports writing in England, to general assignment reporting in Canada, to military writing in America where I proudly covered from my post in Hawaii – home of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the 25th Infantry Division, headquarters Pacific Air Forces, and the Fleet Marine Force Pacific – the activities of these forces during the decade of the 1960s when the Vietnam War heated up. I have before me now a program from the 189th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel where I was honored to be a guest of the Marines, specifically Lt. Gen. Victor H. Krulak, who on that memorable evening pronounced me an “honorary Marine”, a title I’ve proudly carried with me through the last 60 years, many of them as a proud (associate) member of the U.S, Marine Corps Combat Correspondents’ Association.

Reporting for The Associated Press in the Pacific in 1966 I found myself assigned to a B-52 bomber flight over Cambodia from the distant Pacific island of Guam. I was bumped from the flight at the last minute, and found myself stranded several thousand miles from home base. What to do? I stopped by the 14th Naval District headquarters where a young public information officer volunteered to show me the island’s World War II dog cemetery. It involved a heated trek into the jungle, fighting our way with machetes in 90-plus degree heat through to a peaceful, though overgrown, glade where we uncovered the headstones of three of some 22 graves containing the remains of war dogs killed while on duty in the Pacific theater.

Keynote speaker, retired U.S. Marine dog handler and current R-MA staffer Christine George gave an emotional recounting of the human/K9 war-front-and-beyond bond.

As a lifetime lover of dogs, and active in dog rescue for many of those years, I wrote an article about the cemetery and its apparent abandonment that ran world-wide and caught the attention of the then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Subsequently, the cemetery was handed off to the U.S. Marine Corps that ultimately cleared the land and built a handsome memorial honoring the dogs and their contribution to the war effort. Reportedly, the cemetery and the memorial have become a popular tourist mecca, attracting thousands of visitors each year and many war dog memorials have cropped up both in the U.S. and in Europe, specifically in England, France, Belgium and Holland.

As a former president of the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC), I approached the Front Royal Animal Shelter with a proposal to develop a memorial garden honoring the war dogs and their compatriots, the K-9s involved in local law enforcement, particularly since the first war dogs of World War II were sent into battle directly from their training facility in Front Royal. We opened the garden three years ago, honoring the dogs and their handlers on each Memorial Day weekend, including this past weekend where I officiated for the last time as my 92nd birthday approaches.

U.S. Marine Corps reservist Lt. Col. Robert MacDougall has taken over from me the regular Memorial Day ceremony, promising along with Able Forces Director “Skip” Rogers, to maintain the twin ceremonies honoring both the military men and women who lost their lives in fighting for their country, and the dogs that helped these brave men and women on the battlefield that also were killed in the line of duty. Both of these colleagues of mine were instrumental this year in organizing and sponsoring several Memorial Day weekend activities, which filled the entire weekend, at the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter (Dogs of War salute), the downtown Gazebo park (Salute to Service) and County Courthouse grounds.

Able Forces Veterans Assistance principal ‘Skip Rogers, also a retired military dog handler, lays the wreath in the War Dog Memorial Garden at the Humane Society of Warren County’s Wagner Animal Shelter.

For me, this was a bitter-sweet weekend in which I gave way to age, stepping back from active participation in the future, and thanking those who have helped put Memorial Day back on the map in Warren County. Those include the aforementioned two service veterans; the late Victor “Tory” Failmezger, a U.S. Navy veteran and local author of World War II books; the Town of Front Royal that sponsored the original Gazebo-area ceremonies prior to COVID; Randolph-Macon Academy; Fussell Florist; lay minister Michael Williams for his invocation; bagpiper Jim Lundt; and more lately the Valley Chorale; the current Wagner Animal Shelter staff and its executive director, Kayla Wines.

Thank you, everyone, and God Bless America and those who sacrifice all to preserve the ideals upon which it was built.

The R-MA Color Guard at attention as the Valley Chorale adds their voices to the ceremony once again. Hey, good job guys – Rob MacDougall and Christine George congratulate R-MA cadets on a Color Guard job well done.

A trip inside the Wagner Shelter for post-event catered snacks revealed these three patriotic residents waiting for the right ‘forever home’ visitor to find them.

And Malcolm was at both the Salute to Service event later Saturday co-sponsored by ‘Skip’ Rogers Able Forces; and as pictured here with Sheriff Crystal Cline and event host Rob MacDougall, at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Courthouse grounds Monday at noon as well. Courtesy Photo Jen Avery

Delegate Delores Oates, representing Virginia’s 31st district, had a unique opportunity this past weekend. As a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) member, she flew over her district from the Front Royal-Warren County Airport. Captain Samantha Stahl of the Winchester Composite Squadron piloted the flight, which included aerial views of local landmarks, including Delegate Oates’ residence.

Delegate Delores Oates and Capt. Samantha Stahl gives a thumbs up before boarding the Civil Air Patrol aircraft for an orientation flight over Virginia’s 31st district.

This was Delegate Oates’ first experience flying in a small aircraft. She expressed her excitement, stating, “I was able to enjoy the beauty of our community this morning from the air thanks to Captain Samantha Stahl and the Winchester Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. We took off at the Front Royal-Warren County Airport and cruised over the 31st District! I must admit I asked about flying lessons! Stay tuned!”

Every member of the Virginia General Assembly is also a member of the Civil Air Patrol. The Commonwealth of Virginia supports CAP’s emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education missions. The Virginia Wing, comprising over 2,000 members, performs volunteer efforts valued at approximately $9 million annually. The Wing operates out of 21 locations across the state.

The cadet program focuses on leadership growth and career exploration for youth aged 12 to 21. Civil Air Patrol’s aerospace education mission supports educators and outreach events like Girls in Aviation Day and STEM activities in schools. The Wing’s twelve aircraft facilitate orientation flights for cadets, some of whom go on to obtain their private pilot licenses. Members train to provide emergency response by air and ground, supporting the state during emergencies.

About Virginia Wing

Civil Air Patrol’s Virginia Wing includes 21 squadrons throughout the Commonwealth and has approximately 2,250 members, twelve light aircraft, six small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and 28 multi-mission vehicles. These resources support federal, state, local governments, emergency responders, and law enforcement agencies. Missions include search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and counter-drug efforts. For more information, visit Virginia Wing.

About Civil Air Patrol

Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force in 1948, the Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization focused on youth development, aerospace education, and promoting general aviation. CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, training, and education. Dedicated to serving communities, saving lives, and shaping futures, CAP continues to make significant contributions to American society.

For more information, visit CAP News or Go Civil Air Patrol. Follow Civil Air Patrol on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Whether you’re planning to do a major home cleanup or want to tick off a few household chores from your to-do list, here are some tips to prevent injuries:

Warm-Up

Before you start, do light stretching, bending, and rotating to help prepare your muscles and joints. This can increase your flexibility and reduce the risk of strains or sprains. Simple movements like shoulder rolls, gentle twists, and leg stretches can make a big difference.

Divide Up Your Tasks

Avoid overloading your day by breaking tasks into shorter sessions. This will help maintain your energy levels without unnecessarily tiring your body. For instance, instead of cleaning the entire house in one go, tackle one or two rooms at a time and take breaks in between.

Use the Right Tools

Ergonomic, lightweight tools make cleaning easier. Extendible brooms, vacuums, and appliances with adjustable handles can help minimize the strain on your joints. Investing in tools designed for comfort can make your chores less taxing and more efficient.

Wear Support Accessories

Knee pads, lumbar belts, and protective gloves are essential for certain tasks. Don’t hesitate to use them if you need to. Knee pads can protect your knees when scrubbing floors, while lumbar belts provide back support during heavy lifting. Gloves can prevent blisters and protect your hands from harsh cleaning chemicals.

Adopt Good Posture

Poor posture can quickly lead to discomfort and even injury. For example, bend at the knees rather than the waist and keep your back straight to reduce pressure. When lifting objects, hold them close to your body to maintain better control and balance. Also, avoid twisting your body while carrying heavy items.

Listen to Your Body

If a task is causing pain, stop immediately and ask for help. Remember that listening to your body is essential to avoid injury. It’s important to recognize the difference between normal fatigue and pain that signals potential harm. Taking breaks and not pushing through discomfort can prevent long-term issues.

Visit Your Doctor If You’re Injured

If you sustain an injury while doing chores, seeking medical attention is crucial. Ignoring injuries can lead to more severe problems. Early intervention and proper treatment can ensure a quicker recovery and prevent future injuries.

Following these tips can tackle household chores more safely and efficiently. Warming up, dividing tasks, using ergonomic tools, wearing support accessories, maintaining good posture, and listening to your body are all essential practices. Remember, the goal is to keep your home clean and organized without compromising your health. Pace yourself and enjoy a safer, more comfortable approach to household chores.