Virginia Veterans: Make Your Book This Christmas 2025

Words of Veterans

Quantico, Va. – Dec. 25, 2025 – This Christmas season, Virginia veterans are being offered a meaningful gift: the chance to preserve their military stories in a professionally printed hardcover book—at no cost. Words of Veterans was created by Alex K. Sebby, a former enlisted U.S. Marine who served from 1999 to 2003. The online platform helps U.S. Veterans document their service, memories, and life experiences in their own words. Drawing on best practices from the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, the tool guides veterans step-by-step through writing their personal history and turning it into a beautifully bound book to share with family for generations. In celebration of Christmas 2025, Sebby announced a special initiative made possible by a grant from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The grant provides 1,000 vouchers for U.S. Veterans living in Virginia to have their book printed and shipped free of charge. “This is about honoring service and making sure veterans’ voices are never lost,” said Sebby. “Too many stories disappear because they’re never written down. This program preserves those stories for families and future generations.” Veterans write their story at their own pace using the Words of Veterans platform. Once complete, the book is professionally printed as a high-quality hardcover and shipped directly to the veteran. To qualify, veterans must live in Virginia and redeem a voucher before the program deadline. All books must be printed and shipped by March 31, 2026. Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterans can redeem their free book using the voucher code FreeBook. For more information, visit www.WordsOfVeterans.com / email Alex@WordsOfVeterans.com / or call 571-494-5106. Semper Fi, Alex K. Sebby

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Patch AM Team

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Virginia

Quantico, Va. – Dec. 25, 2025 – This Christmas season, Virginia veterans are being offered a meaningful gift: the chance to preserve their military...

South Garden Service Dogs

South Garden Service Dogs: Built on Purpose At South Garden Service Dogs, Kevin’s lifelong commitment remains: producing balanced, confident dogs—whether for service, protection, companionship, or competition. Anyone with a service dog who needs help with a training issue is welcome to a free lesson. We train all breeds. But we don’t just train dogs—we transform lives. Training dogs is the easy part; the true purpose is fostering healing and connection for every family. With decades of experience and a philosophy of healing through connection, we guide families—including veterans and first responders—from puppy to fully trained companion. Embracing the I Am Underdog spirit, we are proud to serve those who served us, delivering peace, purpose, and life-changing connection. Please support our GoFundMe to help Kane find his forever home. We are donating Kane to a veteran or first responder in need—your support makes this life-changing partnership possible. https://gofund.me/48da32e67 Peace &amp; Love, Kevin k9kevin.dog

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Fredericksburg

South Garden Service Dogs: Built on Purpose At South Garden Service Dogs, Kevin’s lifelong commitment remains: producing balanced, confident dogs...

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Tickets are sold out for the 2016 VRE Santa Train treks, which went on sale Monday morning.Railway officials said 1,000 seats were added this year yet the popular family event, which features train rides with Santa and his helpers, had its tickets snapped up soon after sales began.For those who already bought tickets online for the Dec. 10 rides, they will be mailed out in the next few days.<hr />Photo: VRE

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Tickets are sold out for the 2016 VRE Santa Train treks, which went on sale Monday morning.

Railway officials said 1,000 seats were added this year yet the popular family event, which features train rides with Santa and his helpers, had its tickets snapped up soon after sales began.For those who already bought tickets online for the Dec. 10 rides, they will be mailed out in the next few days.

For those who already bought tickets online for the Dec. 10 rides, they will be mailed out in the next few days.

VRE Santa Train Tickets Sold Out

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VRE Santa Train Tickets Sold Out

For those who already bought tickets online for the Dec. 10 rides, they will be mailed out in the next few days.

Skip Wood, Patch Staff

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VRE Santa Train Tickets Sold Out

For those who already bought tickets online for the Dec. 10 rides, they will be mailed out in the next few days.

Skip Wood, Patch Staff<img alt="Verified Patch Staff Badge" class="styles_Badge__np_hU" src="https://patch.com/img/cdn/assets/layout/badges/verified-patch-staff.svg"/>

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Skip Wood, Patch Staff