09/11/2026
Never ever forget. On this 25th anniversary of September 11, we’re reflecting with gratitude on the veterans, service members, military spouses and families who joined us this week at the Virginia War Memorial for a memorable program.
We were honored to experience a powerful program with Master Sgt. Chris Spence, as he shared his firsthand story of service following 9/11, along with rarely seen photographs of the legendary Horse Soldiers—but it was his humility, humanity and genuine connection with those in the room that stayed with us most.
That same spirit of service is alive in Lynchburg---led by the LYNCHBURG AREA VETERANS COUNCIL INC. Today, for an extraordinary 1,294th consecutive Friday, members of the LAVC and the Lynchburg area community will gather at Monument Terrace to remember, honor, and stand alongside veterans and their families. And their commitment extends far beyond Fridays—they quietly help local veterans with real needs--from homelessness to home repairs—complementing the fellowship they offer.
We’re grateful to Christopher Spence and his son, Brandon; LAVC President Tom Current and board members Gail Stokes, David Stokes and Martin Freerkes; Clay Mountcastle and Benjamin H. King and the Virginia War Memorial; Jeanie Koliadko Allen; and Mark Casper and Joshua Barber of Tech For Troops for helping bring us together in a meaningful way.
A special thank you to our event sponsor, Amazon Global Military Affairs and Joshua Vaughan for their generous support and for spending time with our veterans, military families and other attendees on Wednesday.
Today, we remember those we lost on September 11, honor those who answered the call to serve, and are reminded of the good that comes from simply showing up for one another.
