On July 4, 2011, two young men from the Shenandoah Valley Young Marines replaced the well-worn American flag on the premises of the Middleburg Exxon, owned by Billy Journell. The on-duty attendant, Kim, eagerly agreed to allow YM LCpl Thaddeus Edwards of Middleburg and SSgt Alex Loria of Arlington to remove the tattered flag and replace it with a crisp, brand new one in honor of our Nation's 235th birthday. The former flag will receive a ceremonious retirement at the Young Marine's annual summer camping trip, to be held in Philadelphia in August. It seems appropriate that it should be removed from service on July 4th and retired in the place where the American flag originated.

For more information on the unit, visit the website at www.svym07.com.