My husband and I came to Virginia Beach in the 1960s when I was a young military wife with a 2-year-old son. Virginia Beach was a young community and there weren’t that many subdivisions. Folks came to the city in search of the middle-class dream. We found a home that we could afford in a safe neighborhood, an excellent school system and a place to build a church.
I have been very involved in what has taken place in making Virginia Beach the city that we have become, so I wanted to do my part in making this weekend’s Something in the Water festival a success. When the Virginia Beach Police Department asked for volunteers as role players for the event, I was in from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Even though most of the officers were young enough to be my children or grandchildren, I got no special treatment. In fact, I was even arrested three times.
We are inviting you to Virginia Beach, and some are even inviting you into their homes. I only ask that you enjoy, have fun and leave us as you found us. Just remember that my bumps and bruises will heal and my mug shots will be deleted, but if you get them, yours will follow you for the rest of your life.
Linda Russell
Virginia Beach
