Category: Uncategorized

Aaron Lamont Banks

Behind the scenes of the article titled, “A history of service”

Aaron Lamont Banks
Roscoe Banks, Sr.

Aaron Lamont Banks is very proud of the military service that his family has contributed to their County. His father, Roscoe came from humble beginnings. He was born in Danville, Virginia to Algie H. Banks and Fannie Elam.

Algie and Fannie migrated to Alexandria, Virginia after 1920. They had several children. Three of their children, Roscoe Sr., Marshall and Algie Jr enlisted in the military during World War II in 1943.

Roscoe Banks, Jr.

Roscoe Sr’s son, Roscoe Jr also went into the military. Roscoe Jr’s daughters and grandson entered the military as well.

You can find Aaron’s story in the Alexandria Times’ dated Thursday, October 21, 2021 on page 39-40. The article is titled, “A history of service.” You can read the article at

https://alextimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ALEXT102121_FULL.pdf.

Click Family of Bethel Cemetery

James Click Jr.

Behind the scenes of the Alexandria Gazette Packet’s article on, “From West Virginia to Alexandria: Click Family of Bethel Cemetery.

The Click Family has been in the Cemetery business in Alexandria for three generations. Prior to coming to Alexandria, they were living in the foothills of McDowell County, West Virginia, working in the coalmines.

Like so many people, the Click family wanted a better life and Alexandria offered the family a better life.

Check out the Click Family’s story, “From West Virginia to Alexandria – Click Family of Bethel Cemetery”– dated June 17, 2021 in the Alexandria Gazette Packet on page 11 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2021/061621/Alexandria.pdf.

Behind the Scene with Harold Bell, “Inside Sports”

Harold Bell

Mr. Harold Bell has been involved in sports for all of his teenage and adult life.  He got his start as a host of sport talk show from legendary Petey Greene and Bobby Bennett. By 1972, Station WOOK-AM a black oriented station hired him as a talk show host, allowing him to express his strong opinions with no filer. The show was christened “Inside Sports,” the tag given to him by his wife, Hattie. Harold’s “Inside Sports,” ran from 1972 through the 1990s.

You can read more about Harold Bell’s career in the Alexandria Gazette Newspaper dated April 14, 2021, on page 11 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2021/041421/Alexandria.pdf

Behind the Story, “The Women Who Sparked His Career – Dr. Michael D. Casey

MichaelCaseyPhotoDr. Michael D. Casey grew up in the Seminary Community in the 1950s. Throughout his life, he had the support of several women. One particular woman, who enlightened Michael was the former Mayor of Alexandria, Allison Silberberg.

Allison and Michael worked together on the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission. This was a city and state advisory platform from which they advocated for low income families on myriad issues, including employment, health care and affordable housing.

Dr. Casey expressed his work experience with Ms. Silberberg by saying, “it was a rewarding experience, and it was a pivotal life experience, as her indefatigable can-do spirit inspired me to become even more involved in community service, including with the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA). I continue to serve on the SFA Board of Trustees, alongside strong women movers and shakers who make a huge difference in Alexandria each day.

Ms. Silberberg’s persevering sprit, community caring and activism made an indelible impression on me, and compelled me to continue to advocate for our Alexandria residents and student communities to this day.

I credit Ms. Silberberg — directly and indirectly — with innumerable critical improvements in Alexandria, Virginia.”

Dr. Casey had other women who made a profound positive impact on his career.

You can read the rest of the story about Dr. Casey titled, “The Women Who Sparked His Career – Dr. Michael D. Casey in the Alexandria Gazette at

http://www.alexandriagazette.com/news/2021/apr/06/other-alexandria-women-who-sparked-his-career-dr-m/