McLeanMcLean Page 17 Classifieds, Page 13 Classifieds, ❖ Sports, Page 16 ❖ The McLean Little League Athletes walk along Westmoreland Street as part of Entertainment, Page 10 theirtheir openingopening dayday ❖ OpeningOpening DayDay festivitiesfestivities Saturday,Saturday, April 13. Opinion, Page 8 ForFor McLeanMcLean ‘We Have LittleLittle LeagueLeague News,News, PagePage 44 Not Forgotten’ News, Page 3 Langley Hosts Relay for Life News, Page 6 Photo by Alex McVeigh/The Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.comApril 17-23, 2013 online at www.connectionnewspapers.comMcLean Connection ❖ April 17-23, 2013 ❖ 1 2 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ April 17-23, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McLean Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic 703-778-9414 or [email protected] News Viewpoints What motivated you to attend the candlelight vigil? —Victoria Ross Photos by Photos Jeanne Bierkan of Photos by Photos Vienna “I came here tonight Ross Victoria because I want stronger background checks. I have Victoria Ross Victoria two boys who grew up here, and I can’t understand why we are still arguing about /The Connection something that’s just common sense.” /The Connection McLean resident Kathleen Murphy spoke Sue Langley, a Vienna resident who orga- Bob Hatfield of Vienna about losing her brother 11 years ago to nized the April 13 candlelight vigil, com- “I’m here to support gun violence. She was one of several forts preschool teacher Raba Letteri, a legislation that’s before speakers during the April 13 candlelight Lebanese immigrant who attended the Congress. We need to bring vigil in Vienna urging Congress to support vigil with her husband Paul and sons Virginia into the 21st stricter gun control measures. Joseph, 13, and Aaron, 9. century, and see that it’s responsible to have sane gun control measures and respect for the Second ‘We Have Not Forgotten’ Amendment. The two are not mutually exclusive.” they know how many people are behind them in Residents rally in Vienna passing legislation,” Langley said. to support stricter gun THE EVENT included remarks from political lead- control measures. ers, gun control advocates and gun violence survi- Raba Letteri of Reston vors. attended the vigil with “Eleven years ago my brother was murdered. He her husband Paul and By Victoria Ross was 50 years old, and he had a wife and five chil- sons Joseph, 13, (right) The Connection dren. He was shot during a robbery,” said McLean and Aaron, 9 (left). resident Kathleen Murphy, choking back tears. “I came here from Leba- ess than six miles from the National Rifle “This is personal for me, not politics,” said Murphy, non to be safe. I saw the Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax, who launched a bid to challenge Del. Barbara hatred and violence be- Lmore than 100 people gathered on the Comstock (R-34) in this November’s House of Del- tween Arabs and Jews. Now Vienna Town Green Saturday, April 13, to egates election. Murphy, a mother of six children, everything I hear on the urge Congress to support stricter gun control mea- implored the crowd to keep the pressure on Con- news is about a shooting. I sures. gress to support measures such as expanded back- don’t need to wait to lose “We need to send a strong message to Congress ground checks. “We are going to hold them respon- one of my children to have that we have not forgotten Newtown. We have not sible,” she said. a voice.” forgotten Virginia Tech,” said Pat Carol of Franconia, In an emotional speech Earle Mitchell of Spring- who attended the rally with her two teenage chil- field, a retired U.S. Navy supply officer, told the crowd dren. “ … It’s time to demand that (legislators) pro- that, as a member of the military, “we were always tect our children, instead of the gun lobby.” looking for foreign enemies. The enemy I’m talking The event was part of a series of rallies this month about is the NRA headquarters on I-66.” Klara Bilgin of Burke co-hosted by Organizing for Action (OFA)—a social “It’s been only four months since 26 children died with son Alex advocacy nonprofit that supports President Barack in Newtown, and we’ve had 3,300 gun-related “I am originally from Obama—and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a biparti- deaths,” Mitchell said. “I have young grandchildren, Bulgaria. When I travel san coalition of 900 mayors co-chaired by New York who all live in Virginia. Newtown could happen here. abroad, people cannot City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. When will we say ‘enough’?” believe that there are Both groups are calling for stricter gun laws, in- The event began with a Franciscan blessing read 32,000 gun deaths every cluding background checks for all gun sales, gun by John Horesji of Vienna, coordinator of Social Ac- year in America. They say safety training for all firearm buyers, and a ban on tion Linking Together (SALT). ‘you don’t have a dictator; military-style assault weapons. “May God bless you with enough foolishness to you aren’t controlled by Vienna resident Sue Langley, a community activist believe that you can make a difference in this world, warlords, how can this with OFA of Virginia, organized Saturday’s event, so that you can change what others claim cannot be happen?’ We are moving in which began at 7 p.m. and ended with a candlelight changed, and do what others claim cannot be done,” an awful direction … we vigil to remember the children of Newtown, and the Horesji recited. need to demand [measures] estimated 32,000 Americans who die in gun-related “From a faith perspective, Second Amendment to reduce gun violence.” deaths every year. rights need to be balanced with the Second Com “The Senate will be in its final stages of debate this week, and by standing together we’ll make sure See Residents, Page 18 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com McLean Connection ❖ April 17-23, 2013 ❖ 3 News /The Connection Alex McVeigh Photos by Photos McLean Little League players walk along Westmoreland Street Saturday, April 13, as part of their opening day ceremonies. Opening Day for McLean Little League Players parade down most everyone on the field, threw the first pitch of Westmoreland, kick off the season at Field #2. Mike Mendler, president of McLean Little League, 2013 season. presented several awards during the opening cer- Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth throws out emony. The Scott Bradshaw Leadership Award was the first pitch for McLean Little League opening day given to Ryan Lovallo, Carter Bosch and Matt Plaza. Saturday, April 13. By Alex McVeigh “I’ve known these kids for a long time, they all The Connection have one thing in common,” he said. “They’re ones to lift their teammates, they’re not the ones to get on undreds of boys and girls kicked off them, they lift them up by their performance and by their 2013 season Saturday, April 13, getting the rest of the teammates to support them.” Has McLean Little League celebrated Jonathan Wiener, vice president of softball for opening day at the McLean Little McLean Little League, presented the Karen Vagley League Fields. The players, coaches and parents award to Nicole Woolridge. started their morning at McLean High School before “This award is for inspirational leadership and play marching almost a mile down Westmoreland Street during All-Stars competition. I asked Coach [Heath] to the fields. Simon who we should give this award to, and it took “This marks our 58th year of McLean Little League him about 12 seconds to respond,” he said. “Nicole and our 58th parade, seventh with good weather,” played shortstop and catcher for the team, and bat- said Jamie Loving, a coach. “As you look around, ted third or fourth. She has been a leader there, and there are players wearing 95 different jerseys today.” a leader throughout her years here.” Other local organizations pitched in for the open- The league also inducted Holley Remer, Sabrina ing day ceremonies. A color guard from Boy Scout Moore and Ken Schram into their Honor Roll, recog- Troop 128 presented the flags, and the Spring Hill nizing adults with longtime connections to the pro- Elementary Harmony Group sang the National An- gram. Sue Liverpool was named Volunteer of the Year. them. Baseball and softball play- ers from Langley High School and McLean High School also walked the route with the little leaguers and welcomed them onto the field. “It’s nice to see the older play- ers, many of whom came up through McLean Little League be- fore moving onto high school ball, come out and inspire the kids,” said Dan Montgomery, parent of a player. “They all look pretty sharp in their school uniforms, and it gives them something to shoot for as they learn the game.” The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by another player that high school and little leaguers alike looked up to, literally. Wash- McLean Little League players and parents take a moment Langley High School baseball players welcome McLean ington Nationals outfielder Jayson for the National Anthem during their opening day cer- Little League softball players to the field Saturday, April Werth, who at 6’5” stood above al- emony Saturday, April 13. 13, for opening day. 4 ❖ McLean Connection ❖ April 17-23, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Bulletin Free Estimates! Board Patios, Walls, Walkways, Paver Driveways, Landscaping To have community events listed in and So Much More! the Connection, send to [email protected]. Deadline is Friday. New Shipments 50-65%50-65% OffOff PotteryPottery THURSDAY/APRIL 18 of Annuals WashingtonWashington Area’sArea’s Literacy Means Business. 7:30-9:30 BiggestBiggest SelectionSelection a.m., at Gannett/USA Today and Perennials! Biggest Selection Headquarters, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean.