Michaun Harrison, president of the Blinded Veterans Association’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Group, and Edd Bond a member of the regional group from Williamsburg, Virginia, participated in a symbolic flag-raising ceremony November 3 at the recently opened downtown City Hall in Manassas Park, Virginia. Michaun also spoke at the event, promoting BVA’s services to veterans with sight loss and the recent bylaw amendment expanding eligibility for membership. Edd was accompanied by his wife, Wilma Bond.

The event resulted from a resolution put forth by Manassas Park Councilmember Laura Hampton and passed in August by the city’s governing body to honor Veterans Day in 2022. The resolution included a proposal to fly a “Thank You Veterans” flag outside all Manassas Park buildings throughout the month of November. The “Thank You Veterans” flag was the flag raised during the event.

City Manager Laszlo Palko, Mayor Jeanette Rishell, and Councilmember Hampton offered opening remarks followed by brief presentations by representatives of local chapters of Veterans Service Organizations located in Northern Virginia, including Michaun, Ed Ortiz of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 10 Commander David Quimby, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7589 Commander Wayne Moore.

Also present were Rose Duval, American Gold Star Mothers, Alexandria Chapter President, and Geambro Hollis, Northern Area Chair of the Virginia Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.