McLean's Vinson Hall Residents Honor America's 250th Birthday With Historic Ceremony

MCLEAN, VA — Residents of Vinson Hall commemorated America's 250th birthday on Saturday with a ceremony honoring the nation's founding and the military and public service careers of many who call the McLean retirement community home.

The event was designed around the historical significance of July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Continental Congress. Most of Vinson Hall's approximately 400 residents served as military officers or federal government leaders during their careers, according to the retirement community.

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Because of extreme heat, organizers moved much of the program indoors. A flag-changing ceremony was recorded earlier in the day and shown on a screen during the event.

The video featured six Vinson Hall residents serving as the Color Guard as the Honor Guard lowered the Grand Union flag, representing the American colonies under British rule, and raised the U.S. flag. The ceremony began at 3:30 p.m., matching the hour when the Declaration of Independence was read to Congress 250 years ago.

Major General John Herrling, described by Vinson Hall as its newest and youngest flag officer, used a Revolutionary War-era saber recovered from a retreating British cavalry officer to ceremonially cut the birthday cake.

Residents, Delegate Participate

Virginia Del. Rip Sullivan (D-Fairfax), who serves on the board of the Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation, read the opening section of the Declaration of Independence. Ten Vinson Hall residents completed the reading by sharing the remaining sections of the document.

The program also included the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Sherm Eagan, president of the Vinson Hall Residents' Association, thanked residents for their military and public service.

"You wrote a blank check to our nation, cashable up to and including that last full measure of devotion," Eagan said. "For that, we salute and thank you. Take pride in that service. You are the heritage we revere at Vinson Hall."

Following the ceremony, residents gathered for a champagne toast and cake before continuing the celebration with happy hour and a televised viewing of the national Independence Day fireworks display.

Vinson Hall, located on Old Dominion Drive in McLean, opened in 1969. The nonprofit continuing care retirement community serves older adults with and without military affiliations and offers independent living, assisted living, nursing care and memory care.