Dear friends and fellow citizens,
From President Ronald Reagan’s Memorial Day speech at Arlington Cemetery on May 31, 1982.
"Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the site before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who in return loved their countrymen enough to die for them. Yet, we must try to honor them, not for their sakes alone, but for our own. And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions, we must strive to keep faith with them and with a vision that led them to battle and a final sacrifice.
Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough. The United States and freedom for which it stands, the freedom of which they died must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply; it has a cost. It imposes a burden. And just as they, when we commemorate, were willing to sacrifice, so too must we, in a less final, less heroic, way be willing to give of ourselves. It is this beyond the controversy and the congressional debate, beyond the blizzard of budget numbers and the complexity of modern weapon systems that motivates us in our search for security and peace. War will not come again; other young men will not have to die if we will speak honestly of the dangers that confront us and remain strong enough to meet those dangers."
(17) President Reagan's Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery, Virginia - May 31, 1982 - YouTube
Will McGurn
Director, The Virginia Council
Virginia Election Updates:
5 new factors that are shaping the governor's race - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey
Virginia lawmakers prepare for new restrictions on campaign funds | WVTF By Michael Pope
8News Exclusive: Earle-Sears declines to say if she’ll sign a bill limiting abortion access if elected governor | WRIC ABC 8News By Tyler Englander
Earle-Sears calls for more school 'options' at Fishburne graduation By Bob Stuart
Abigail Spanberger shares priorities to lower healthcare, prescription drug costs at Hanover drug store | WRIC ABC 8News By Clare Gehlich & Tyler Englander
Virginia leaders react to Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' | 13newsnow.com By Hannah Eason Amado
Is Spanberger up by 4 percentage points or 17? Why two new polls have very different results. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey
Youngkin recognizes Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month By Brad Kutner
May 21, 2025 - Attorney General Miyares Finds Fairfax County Public Schools Discriminated Against Asian American Students in Violation of Virginia Human Rights Act
Fairfax Co. Schools found in violation by Va. OAG for admissions process discrimination By Jessica James & Rebecca Turco
JUST IN: AG Miyares accuses FCPS of anti-Asian discrimination in TJ admissions | FFXnow By Jared Serre
Virginia Lt. Gov. candidate rips Arlington officials over limiting police ICE teamwork | Fox News Video By Mike Emanuel
6 Democratic candidates for Lt. Gov. attempt to distinguish themselves from their peers in debate - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer
Democratic lieutenant governor candidates agree on most issues but clash over gambling By Brandon Jarvis
Virginia Republicans fret over their gubernatorial candidate's 'glitches' - POLITICO By Brakkton Booker, Liz Crampton & Ben Jacobs
Gilbert says he will step down as leader if the caucus has new elections By Brandon Jarvis
Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony - Virginia War Memorial
May 26, 2025 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Join us at the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony as we honor those who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. We will have guest speakers, patriotic music, and the laying of wreaths in our Shrine of Memory: 20th Century.
Our ceremony will be broadcasted live on WTVR CH6 and livestreamed on various websites and Facebook pages. For this reason, attendees are encouraged to arrive no later than 10:45 am.
Memorial Day: Complete History, Meaning, Facts & Traditions
Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates:
Virginia’s budget surplus grows as revenues beat expectations despite national slowdown • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt
Virginia's governor says Arlington County 'standing in the way' of federal immigration authorities - Washington Times By Matt Delaney
Exclusive | Dem Rep. Eugene Vindman hit with FEC complaint after campaign promoted twin brother's book By Josh Christenson & Ryan King
Virginia congressional candidate Vindman's campaign hit with FEC complaint | Just The News By Shirleen Guerra
Virginia task force surpasses 1,000 arrests of undocumented criminals | 13newsnow.com By Kathleen Lundy
Democratic leadership signals willingness to reexamine Virginia Clean Economy Act | WVTF By Brad Kutner
Youngkin Has the Better Message | Bacon's Rebellion - By James A. Bacon
(1) Asra Nomani on X: "🔥 BREAKING. VICTORY! WATCH! 🔥Virginia AG @JasonMiyaresVA just announced he has concluded his investigation into anti-Asian racism by Fairfax County Public Schools in admissions to America’s former No. 1 high school, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and https://t.co/t5x6EfeTB6" / X
Virginia’s western congressional delegation forms own search committee for U.S. attorney post - Cardinal News By Elizabeth Beyer
Youngkin recognizes Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month By Brad Kutner
ACPD plans to disband Gang Unit amid shift in county policy | ARLnow.com By Dan Egitto
Report highlights community pushback stalling $64 billion in data center development nationwide • Virginia Mercury By Charles Paullin
Youngkin signs executive order to combat antisemitism in Va. schools • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline
Lives of Afghan refugees in Virginia upended by Trump-ordered moves | AP News By Tiffany Stanley
Youngkin, 19 Republican governors sign letter supporting bill that would cut billions from Medicaid • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods
Facing special ed teacher shortage, Va. education board votes to expand educator pipeline • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline
Records from Red Onion say investigation found ‘no staff misconduct’ By Dean Mirshahi
Va. transportation board approves nearly $1 billion in funding for SMART SCALE projects • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline
Preservation Virginia lists battlefields as endangered sites | Landuse | rappnews.com By James Jarvis
Articles, News, & Quotes:
Gerry Connolly, a Democratic congressman and fixture of Virginia politics, dies at 75 | AP News By Olivia Diaz
Richmond's monuments still sitting at wastewater plant By Samuel B. Parker
Letter-to-DOJ-AAG-Dhillon-regarding-UVA.pdf Support for Investigation of Ongoing Unlawful DEI Practices at the University of Virginia and Request for Enforcement Action by America First Legal
RESETUVA The Jefferson Council calls for UVA President Ryan to be replaced
U.S. 58 reopens, months after it was destroyed by floodwaters — and months ahead of schedule - Cardinal News By Susan Cameron
Deflect and Deny: Letitia James Dodges DOJ Probe with More Deception - White Collar Fraud By Sam E. Antar
In Loudoun County, Gender Ideology Is More Important Than Student Privacy - IWFeatures By Stephanie Lundquist-Arora
Commentary: Safe kids equals strong families By Janet Kelly
What I Told RFK's Team at the Department of Health and Human Services By Dr. Rob Henderson
Virginia sees nation's second-largest drop in overdose deaths - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno
Loudoun pastor rallies support for boys under investigation for LCPS locker room comments By Nick Minock
VCU hires outside firm to oversee federal anti-DEI compliance By Megan Pauly
(10) Rapid Response 47 on X: ".@EDSecMcMahon on the civil rights investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia over admissions process discrimination: "@POTUS said from Day One, he will not tolerate any kind of discrimination in admissions and our universities." https://t.co/SVqgrdVF1x" / X
Loudoun County residents demand public school leaders drop locker room investigation By Nick Minock
New Poll: Massive Decline In Democratic Party Optimism Since Last Summer Signals Bleak Future By Manzanita Miller
US Capitol rioter who smashed Speaker's Lobby door charged with burglary in Virginia | AP News
Richmond’s interim CAO initially said erroneous real estate tax bills were sent on purpose By Graham Moomaw
Legacy Media: Always Wrong. — Kerry: By Kerry Dougherty
Dapper Detective on X: "NEW SANCTUARY SCANDAL: An MS-13 gangbanger was able to amass a 15-page-long rap sheet—arrested 30 times—in liberal haven Fairfax, Virginia before he was detained by ICE. 16 separate immigration detainers, ignored. Democrats put illegal aliens before Americans. https://t.co/mwkbSZTV9C" / X
Former governors pay tribute to Brown v. Board, but disagree on how to continue its legacy By Victoria A. Ifatusin
Corporations pull sponsorships from Virginia's largest Pride event - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno
Richmond’s ABC stores continue to see theft issues, but they are also spreading to Henrico County By Seraina Caviezel
Granite Schoolhouse, Westham Train Station make 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places list By Sarah Vogelsong
'Resilience Amid Resistance’: New marker reveals Virginia’s fraught journey to school integration • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline
Judge asked to overturn renaming of Loudoun schools | 1local | loudountimes.com By Evan Goodenow
WATCH: New historic marker for Salubria - Fredericksburg Free Press By Ted Schubel
James River cruise takes passengers back in time on the boat that made Virginia rich | WVTF By Sandy Hausman
Lobbyists in Virginia: 2024-25 By VPAP.ORG
Interviews & Videos of Interest
Virginia War Memorial previews upcoming Memorial Day event 8News got a visit from the Virginia War Memorial on Tuesday for a preview of their upcoming Memorial Day event to honor fallen veterans.
(10) Tucker Carlson on X: "For decades, big city mayors have hired public employees based on race. That’s illegal but nobody’s stopped them. Then Harmeet Dhillon took over the civil rights division at DoJ. (0:00) Introduction (1:20) The Grim Reality Dhillon Was Faced With After Entering the DOJ (4:24) The https://t.co/WTl2n8xEAB" / X
The Virginia Press Room In this episode Michael Pope is joined by:
Olivia Diaz of the AP, covering the diversity of Virginia's Republican candidates against the backdrop of a federal crackdown on DEI.
Charlotte Rene Woods of the Virginia Mercury, covering the Virginia House Clerk rejecting three of Governor Youngkin's vetoes. Brad Kutner of Radio IQ, covering some non-traditional candidates running for office this cycle.
(3) The Jefferson Council on X: "Meet Matan Goldstein, the UVA student who sued the University of Virginia, its president and rector, and two pro-Palestinian groups—alleging he was “a victim of hate-based, intentional discrimination, severe harassment and abuse, and illegal retaliation.” UVA ultimately settled https://t.co/4duP4pq6Hk" / X
James River adventure-turned-documentary finds TV distribution on VPM By Andy Thompson
(1) Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 on X: "🚨NEW: Former DNC Chair Terry McAulliffe tells @ChrisCuomo Dems "LOST" the “COMMON SENSE” mantle to TRUMP🚨 "He talks common sense ... Common sense used to be who our party was — and we've sort of lost it." @DailyCaller https://t.co/S5R7Sj4Vzr" / X
Absolutely Gut Wrenching': Parents of Loudoun Boys Speak Out-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! By The Family Foundation
(1) A Guy on X That's On a Mission. Live by the Code on X: "Confederate monument graveyard. @LevarStoney created an ad recently about how proud he was for taking them down. Stoner is a history hypocrite and would be horrible for Virginia. https://t.co/cV780wp7xp" / X
Gunther Eagleman™ on X: "🚨BREAKING: ICE authorities have arrested a documented MS-13 gang member in Fairfax, VA! He has been placed on a detainer hold 16 times, but the requests were ignored due to their sanctuary city status. He has also been arrested THIRTY TIMES. This is who the Democrats protect! https://t.co/C6VRFXexUE" / X
The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty
Trump’s DOJ Files Federal Lawsuit Against Small Idaho Town for Targeting Evangelical Church | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hᴏft
The Virginia Council has been blessed with unwavering support from the community since its founding a few years ago. And we decided to add some new ways to thank you for your ongoing assistance in our efforts to educate and inform Virginians.
"Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program.
Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!"
Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting.
Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin.
Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access.
President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice.
We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives.
We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year.
To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here.
To volunteer, click here.
The Executive Board of the Virginia Council
If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below).
Contact us HERE for more details.
The Virginia Council
Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians.
Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected.
P. O. Box 5
Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
