Decorate A Vet volunteers spruce up local homes for the holidays
 |
| Firefighters and other volunteers decorate the Freeman family’s home at 1009 Hillwood Ave. |
About 100 volunteers put up holiday decorations at five
local homes through the Decorate A Vet program on Dec. 2.
local homes through the Decorate A Vet program on Dec. 2.
This is the eighth year of the program, which was started by
Jeff Jones, the owner of Classic Stonescaping of Falls Church.
Jeff Jones, the owner of Classic Stonescaping of Falls Church.
 |
| 8527 Canterbury Drive, Annandale. |
Many of the volunteers were from American Legion Post 130 in
Falls Church, which served as the base for the day’s operations. Others were from the JEB
Stuart High School crew team, George Mason High School, local fire departments, church youth groups, Boy
Scout troops, and Jones’ personal and professional contacts. “Some folks who
happened to drive by and see the work going on have stopped to help,” he says.
Falls Church, which served as the base for the day’s operations. Others were from the JEB
Stuart High School crew team, George Mason High School, local fire departments, church youth groups, Boy
Scout troops, and Jones’ personal and professional contacts. “Some folks who
happened to drive by and see the work going on have stopped to help,” he says.
The volunteers put up wreaths, lights, and other decorations and did some light yardwork at some of the houses. Firefighters brought a couple of trucks with ladders to reach the upper floors.
In past years, Decorate A Vet also carried out more
extensive projects, such as installing new walkways, patios, ramps, and
handrails, but this year’s homes didn’t need that much work.
extensive projects, such as installing new walkways, patios, ramps, and
handrails, but this year’s homes didn’t need that much work.
 |
| 1011 Hillwood Ave. |
“It does your heart good to see so many youths involved,” said
Frank Freeman, as he watched dozens of volunteers bring some holiday spirit to
his home at 1009 Hillwood Ave., in Seven Corners.
Frank Freeman, as he watched dozens of volunteers bring some holiday spirit to
his home at 1009 Hillwood Ave., in Seven Corners.
Freeman has been a firefighter for nearly 50 years, starting
as a volunteer at age 15 in Catlett, Va. He worked at several local fire departments
and was head of the emergency operations center at the Fort Myer Fire Department
on 9/11. He is currently an inspector for the Arlington County Fire Department.
His wife, Carla Freeman, is a former volunteer EMT at the Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.
as a volunteer at age 15 in Catlett, Va. He worked at several local fire departments
and was head of the emergency operations center at the Fort Myer Fire Department
on 9/11. He is currently an inspector for the Arlington County Fire Department.
His wife, Carla Freeman, is a former volunteer EMT at the Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.
The owner of the house next door, Robert Petillo, of 1011 Hillwood Ave., retired in October after serving in the Army for 32 years. As a
member of the U.S. Army Band and the U.S. Army Chorus, he performed for
presidents, foreign dignitaries, and congressional ceremonies, and was promoted
to senior soloist in 2005.
member of the U.S. Army Band and the U.S. Army Chorus, he performed for
presidents, foreign dignitaries, and congressional ceremonies, and was promoted
to senior soloist in 2005.
 |
| Jeff Jones (left) and Robert Petillo. [Decorate A Vet] |
While Petillo is grateful for the help from Decorate A Vet,
he said he was a little self-conscious about the honor, as “there are many more
deserving people than me.”
he said he was a little self-conscious about the honor, as “there are many more
deserving people than me.”
The house decorated at 8527 Canterbury Annandale, is occupied
by James Myers, a retired Army aviator who served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam
and was awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart.
by James Myers, a retired Army aviator who served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam
and was awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart.
Volunteers also decorated the home of a retired Marine who
served in Vietnam, at 707 Hillwood Ave., and a retired Army veteran who served
in the Korean War, at 3800 Linda Lane in Falls Church.
served in Vietnam, at 707 Hillwood Ave., and a retired Army veteran who served
in the Korean War, at 3800 Linda Lane in Falls Church.
Decorate A Vet volunteers will take down the decorations
after the holidays, says volunteer Rebecca Churchill. The program is all about “showing
appreciation,” she said; “we don’t want to create a burden.”
after the holidays, says volunteer Rebecca Churchill. The program is all about “showing
appreciation,” she said; “we don’t want to create a burden.”
2 responses to “Decorate A Vet volunteers spruce up local homes for the holidays”
Leave a reply
This is such a wonderful thing done for our Veterans. Thank You to the American Legion Post 130, JEB Stuart High School crew team, George Mason High School, local fire departments, church youth groups, Boy Scout troops, and everyone else who contributed to this great cause. Happy Holidays
Awesome!