COL John L. Garcia passed away on February 25, 2024 at his home in Alexandria, VA.  He was born on April 9, 1931 in Espanola, NM to Jose Gregorio and Mauricia Garcia. The eldest of ten children, he graduated from Santa Cruz High School and attended New Mexico Military Institute where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. He accepted a Commission in the Regular Army in the U.S. Ordnance Corps which led to a 23-year career.  He...

Isabel “Cristina” Vera, 64,  passed away peacefully on March 29th, 2024 at her home in Arlington, Virginia.  Cristina was born on May 29th, 1959 to Joaquin Jaramillo and Mariela Jaramillo in Colombia. The youngest of nine children. Cristina was a devoted mother and is survived by her son, Andrew Vera, his sister, Cynthia Vera-Collins and her children, daughter in law, Jessica Vera and her cherished grandchildren, Sofia Isabella and Luca Andres Vera. She is also...

CAPTAIN CHRISTOS ZIRPS, USN (RET) On April 9, 2024, Captain Christos Zirps, USN (Ret) passed away. He was born in Nyack, NY in December 1929. After graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1953 with a BS degree in Naval Science, he served 26 years in the Navy including many sea and shore tours. Highlights included Commanding Officer of the USS Warrington (DD 843) and of the Naval Personnel Program Support Activity. Over his Naval career, he earned an MA in International Relations; was a...

John Nicholas Argerson, 65, beloved son of Dr. Nicholas B. and Diane Argerson, cherished brother of Basil, Michelle (Dr. Nick) Costidakis, Dennis (Dena) and Ekaterini, and loving uncle to Nicholas and Mariann, passed unexpectedly on April 4, 2024. John’s calling in life was to help others; he will be remembered for his selfless and giving heart, his endless kindness and his inquisitive mind. John was born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Annandale and Great Falls, VA. He was an...

Marion Mathes, 90, the son of the late Joseph Mathes and Frances Shade, was born in Plumtree, Avery County, North Carolina on November 11, 1933. Marion passed away to rest in peace on March 21, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease at the Vierra Falls Church nursing home in Falls Church, Virginia. Marion, the second youngest of nine children, always had a passion for service to others. When asked why he pursued social work as a career, Marion would succinctly state,...