By Tim Cherry
Staff Writer
Thursday, December 8, 2011

Virginia’s First Lady is making a special appearance on post Dec. 13.

Maureen McDonnell, wife of Virginia Governor Gov. Bob McDonnell, will be delivering cookies to single Soldiers and participating in the Belvoir Officers’ Spouses’ Club’s annual Holiday Tour of Homes.

Belvoir Village is playing host for most of the festivities as approximately eight homes will be made available for Families to see their neighbor’s decorations and traditions.

The majority of the homes are with walking distance of each other, Clark Reality Capital is displaying decorations in the Historic Quarters 68 near the Potomac River, which participants would have to drive to see

“People love to see other people’s houses,” said Monica Boone, BOSC advisor.

McDonnell will tour the houses to meet and greet participants during the first two hours of the morning portion of the event, which last from 10 a.m., to 1 p.m.

There will also be a second segment of touring from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Gus Person, garrison historian, will be in the BOSC headquarters during the morning portion discussing Belvoir’s history and representatives from Clark Reality Capital, who will be displaying a model of the recently completed wounded warrior universally-accessible homes in Woodlawn Village, will also be in attendance.

The ticket price for adults is $15 and $5 for ages 18 years and younger.

Proceeds benefit BOSC activities, programs, scholarship funds and philanthropy.

Boone believes the event is a great opportunity for people to see what other Military Families have collected in their travels around the world.

Kris Needham, BOSC first vice president, said she’s seen homes that have holiday traditions from different places in the world such as Germany and Thailand.

“The home is their story,” Boone said.

Boone said the tour also allows Families to see how their neighbors pay tribute to Soldiers, recalling one wife who sprayed painted her husband’s boot gold in honor of all Servicemembers’ service.

“When you see something as strong as that and understands what it symbolizes, it touches you,” Boone said. “Each house has something you can walk away with.”

Boone and Needham called the homes for this year’s tour uniquely and beautifully decorated. They both agree that participants should be able to gather ideas on how to design their own houses.

The event will also be a great opportunity to speak with Virginia’s first lady.

McDonnell decided to come after hearing about the BOSC cookie drive for single Soldiers that runs simultaneously with the tour.

Last year the organization prepared approximately 100 pounds of treats for servicemembers.

McDonnell will be delivering her personal batch along with other BOSC members to the Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers program, who will distribute the cookies to servicemembers.

“It gets the Holiday spirit going,” said Needham, who believes the tour of homes will be a great Family event.

“It’s just a reminder that we are all Military Families,” Needham said. “We have to bring them together.”

Call (703) 805-1150 for more information.