Holidays are one of the hardest times for military families separated by deployment.   It is also one of the best times for friends and neighbors to lend a helping hand. It isn't about money it's about a few minutes or a few hours to help with the little things that need to be done.

Simple things such as helping put up their outside holiday lights or getting the Christmas tree in that pesky stand. How about volunteering to stand in line at the post office or UPS store for them. Does mom or dad need a few hours to get the shopping done? Then offer to keep the children occupied while they head out. Have a video camera? Help the family make a holiday video to post for mom or dad to see. There are so many little things during the holiday season (and all year long) where an extra hand is appreciated.

It is the little things that we do during the holiday season that can have the biggest impact. Lending a helping hand is a precious gift that will be appreciated by not only the family left behind but by their loved one far away.  This year I've helped two families with putting out their Christmas lights and putting getting their Christmas trees home and in the pesky stands.

Share of yourself this holiday season and feel the joy!

Though the holiday season may be over there are still ways to support our troops and their families year round.  Check through this list and make it part of your 2011 business plan to include those serving our country in your plans.

This guide is geared towards "new" Lorton. Lorton neighborhoods have been around a long time. In fact the Lorton area has plenty of history that goes all the way back to our early famous neighbors, George Washington and George Mason. There are older neighborhoods which are just as popular today as they were when they were built in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Over the last 10 years a "new" Lorton has emerged which has brought a renewal to southern Fairfax County.

Most of the "new" Lorton growth came about when the DC Correctional Complex in Lorton was ordered closed in 1998. With just over 3200 acres the prison complex gave Fairfax County developers an opportunity to create an entire new vision for the land and its usage. With a Virginia Rail Express Station already in place in Lorton (1994) the area was poised for growth.

On the west side of I-95 multiple neighborhoods were carved out of the prison grounds, along with parks, schools, golf course and arts center. The largest of the neighborhoods, Laurel Hill has 700 homes built by Pulte or Centex Homes. In addition to Laurel Hill, other neighborhoods that have grown out of the redevelopment of the old prison land include Laurel Crest, Laurel Highlands and the over 55 community of Spring Hill.

To the east of I-95 a new town center Lorton Station has grown up around the VRE station. Currently featuring multiple restaurants and a pharmacy more stores are slated to open next year. Just down the road Lorton Market offers a large Shoppers Food Warehouse, UPS store, emergency medical center and banking. All of shopping options make it easy for homeowners to stay in the neighborhood for just about everything they need.

In 2006 the new South County Secondary School opened and the Laurel Hill Elementary School opened in 2009.   The Laurel Hill Golf Course an 18 hole championship course operated by the Fairfax County Park opened in 2007 and with a 9000 square foot club house it has become a terrific place for Lorton residents to gather. Bike paths and walking trials connect different sections of the community and also connect with the Fairfax County Cross County Trail

The jewel of the redevelopment is the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center. Officially opened in September 2008 the site has retained the old brick Lorton Prison buildings and revamped them into a blend of artist's studios, classroom and performing arts center. Proposed new stores and restaurants will round out the neighborhood making once was depressing area the newest "it" place in Northern Virginia.

With it's convenience to Fort Belvoir, easy access to I-95, community VRE station and community amenities it is easy to see why the "new" Lorton has become a re-development success in Fairfax County. If you are interested in learning more about relocating to the Lorton area give me a call. We can meet up for coffee in Lorton Station and talk about about whether this is the right time for you to make a move. No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about the home buying process property in today's market.

A Tour of Lorton Homes and Amenities

My friends accuse me of making some of these little facts about Northern Virginia up. Nope the stories are all real....well okay the one about the Bunny Man Bridge in Clifton...not so much.

However the story of the DC Reformatory located in Lorton VA being the site of the Army's premier showcase for the nationwide Nike program unveiled in 1954 is true. One of the big issues that the government faced when it was trying to build defenses against the threat of a nuclear attack from the USSR was acquiring the land necessary to develop missile defense sites.

Since the Army was tasked with finding sites that we already government owned the DC Reformatory site in Lorton located on 3200 acres just 25 miles south of DC was a logical choice. The Army carved out a 30 acre parcel on the prison grounds and began fortifying the site to protect it from intruders. Up until this time the reformatory had been considered an "open campus" reformatory and the addition of Nike Missiles caused officials to lock down the inmates in a more secure environment.

The Army added new guard towers to the prison, began patrols of the grounds with guard dogs and added intrusion alarms to the perimeter fences. As the 1950's drew to a close and the threat of a nuclear war diminished the Army began to dismantle some of the other local sites. The National Guard took control of the missile site at Lorton and kept it as a training site until 1973 when the Secretary of the Army James Schlesinger ordered the site closed and destroyed.

Today the only way you would know that the site existed is by the one historical marker that you find on Furnace Road. As part of the master plan for the revitalization of reformatory land an area has been set aside for a future National Cold War Museum.

So there you have it. Who would make this stuff up? Inmates and Nike Missiles in Lorton VA. My how times have changed. 







If you are looking for a new home in the Lorton VA area give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a call at 703-346-2213.  Let me show you the terrific neighborhoods, both old and new, that Lorton has to offer.  With it's close proximity to Fort Belvoir, the new NGA facilty and multiple commuting options to DC, Lorton is a great place to call home.

My phone is still ringing and questions coming from military families about eligibility for the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP).

Last week I had three phone calls from families outside the area who had PCS orders in 2008 an 2009 with leases expiring this spring.  I put together this quick video for other Northern Virginia (or former Northern Virginia) military families who might have the same question about DoD HAP benefits.

In addition to this video here are a few other posts I've written about the Department of Defense Homeowners Assistance Program( HAP) and homes I sold in Northern Virginia in 2010.   This year I closed 20 HAP transactions.   If you are a military family who has left the area and need assistance in working with your tenants and getting your home sold in 2011 please give me a call at 703-346-2213 to talk about your options.

DoD HAP and Short Sales
A Sold Sign in the Yard is Reason to Celebrate
Military Families-Options if You Are Upside Down on Your Mortgage
Homeowners Assistance Program is Working For Military Families

The 2011 Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) rates have been published by the Pentagon.  Knowing the BAH for the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico and the local military installations is important for families moving to the Northern Virginia area.  One of the misconceptions about BAH among the general public is that the BAH rate covers all of housing expenses.  In an area such as Northern Virginia the BAH rate may not cover even monthly rent depending on the service members rank.

The BAH calculator will help you understand the BAH rate for your rank and assigned installation.  It is based on the duty station and not the actual address of the property being rented.  So a family assigned to Fort Belvoir will receive the same amount of BAH whether they choose to live just a few miles from the installation or 25 miles away in an area that may have "cheaper" rent.

The 2011 Basic Housing Allowance Calculator will provide you a chance to look at the rates for Northern Virginia area before your orders arrive.

To calculate your BAH rate the following zip codes are for the local military installations:

Andrews AFB      Zip Code:   20762

Anacostia-Bolling    Zip Code:  20032

Fort Belvoir         Zip Code:  22060

Pentagon            Zip Code:  22202

Quantico            Zip Code:   22134

If you have PCS orders to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon, Quantico or any of the Northern Virgina and DC military installations give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty group a call at 703-346-2213.  Whether you are buying or renting we can help you find a place to call home while you are stationed in the Northern Virginia area.  No hassle, no pressure, just straight talk about the Northern Virginia real estate market and whether buying or renting is the best option for you.

Chances are you will encounter a deer or two in your yard in the Saratoga neighborhood in West Springfield (VA.) With the pockets of woods scattered throughout the neighborhood you will also see rabbits and foxes too. The wildlife is just one reason that make Saratoga a neighborhood that stays on the list of sought after West Springfield neighborhoods.

Now with the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) being built on the old Fort Belvoir Engineering Proving Grounds, buyers will have another reason to consider the Saratoga neighborhood. The Engineering Proving grounds are considered the "For Belvoir- East Campus" as part of BRAC and when the project is complete the NGA will consolidate an estimated 6,500 employees in one location.  Buyers who are looking for a home within a few minutes of the gates off of Fullerton Road will find Saratoga the closest neighborhood to the new building.  In fact you could easily walk from your home in Saratoga to NGIA.

NGIA not your office?   Not to worry.  If you are headed to Fort Belvoir you will be able to get there within 15 minutes.  Heading into DC?  The Lorton Station VRE is only a few miles away and the bus will take owners to the Springfield-Franconia Metro.

Shopping is easy with the newly renovated Saratoga Shopping Center just around the corner, featuring a Giant grocery store, Chipolte's and Saratoga Pizzeria to name a few.  There is a Costco for your bulk items a few miles down the road and the Lorton Station Town Center is within 5 miles. If you like to explore and get some exercise you will find not only the community pool but other Fairfax County Recreation Centers and Parks within 15 minutes.

If you are looking for a new home in Springfield VA or anywhere in the Fort Belvoir area let my knowledge of Northern Virginia neighborhoods and experience with relocation help you settle in a new home in Northern Virginia. Give Cindy Jones and CJ Realty Group a 703-346-2213 to discuss all the options that are right for you.

Unfortunately a good sentiment does not equal the delivery of a holiday card to a wounded solider at Walter Reed Hospital.  This rumor comes up again every year about this time and takes on a life of its own.

There is a program called Holdiay Mail for Heros sponsored by the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes which provided for the mailing of cards to soliders overseas.  The deadline for those cards was December 10th.

If you see a post suggesting you send a card to "A Recovering Solider" at Walter Reed please have them read the information on Snopes.com.  If you want to help a wounded solider and their family check with your local USO or make a contribution to the Fisher House Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.

The day was cold and overcast but volunteers who come from around the United States take a few hours making sure those who gave their lives are not forgotten during the holidays. This year the crowd was much larger than the last few years.   

The message is simple:

Remember the Fallen
Honor those who Serve
Teach the Value of Freedom to Our Children

There are very few dry eyes among the volunteers and as a family escort I can tell you the emotions for the families involved are raw. 

The Wreaths Across America project has a lofty goal for next year.  Place a wreath on the grave of every fallen solider at Arlington National Cemetery.  I know I'll continue to support the project with my time and my contributions.  It's just one more way to say thank-you and to lend a hand to families who need a little extra support during the holidays.

A few photos from yesterday. 

I generally don't reblog right after a post but Gerry's post is timely.  This weekend is the annual wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery.  Come rain, shine or freezing whether I will be participating again along with hundreds of other volunteers.

Arlington Cemetery is just one of hundreds of cemeteries around the country where volunteers will be out remembering not only our loved ones but other men & women who have served. 

List of participating Wreaths Across America and you can support the project through your contributions and volunteer time.