VOL. 54, NO. 5 • NOVEMBER 15 - 21, 2018
The Clock’s Ticking if Your New Year’s Goal is to be Insured - Dec. 15th
Athletes Shine in Invictus Games Page 28
DC Veterans Create Their Own Family in SE
Access Housing Proves One Person Can Change the World By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir
Church bells rang out on military bases, in places of worship and in communities worldwide on Sunday, Nov. 11 – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – a somber reminder of Armistice Day which marked the official end of World War I exactly one century ago. Twenty-four hours later, give or take, several dozen veterans, presented with clothing for the coming colder months and served by a group of local volunteers, prepared to break bread during a special luncheon at Access Housing, Inc., DC Southeast Veterans Center – a place to which the vets refer with pride, “home.” It would be one of countless examples of Americans honoring the contributions of former members of our country’s armed forces on this year’s Veterans Day. But for those who volunteered at the Southeast-based veterans center, Access Housing Inc., DC, they would witness something rare and profound. That’s because for this “family” of vets, they’ve solidified their bond not along the usual method of bloodlines but upon mutual respect, memories of triumph in the face of insurmountable odds and the reality that their survival has long rested on faith and belief in their comrades – in each other. “Living here is like being part of a family – it’s really special for me because I don’t have any children and the other members of my biological family are all gone,” said John
VETS Page 31
Shaw Residents Rail Against Banneker Relocation
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
If the Bowser administration and DC Public Schools (DCPS) carry out a recently announced proposal for Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, the highly selective institution will relocate to the site of the former Shaw Junior High School and increase enrollment by 300 seats within the next three years.
5 John N. Miller, 95, a resident at Access Housing, Inc., DC, a housing facility in Southeast for homeless veterans, spent Veterans Day with friends reminiscing over their days of military service. /WI Photo/Shevry Lassiter
Abrams, Gillum Still Alive in Epic Races
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
Just days after the still-undecided elections involving Florida’s gubernatorial and Senate races, President Donald Trump — as usual — tried to throw shade. After absentee and provisional ballots brought those once-called races into recount territory, the president blasted Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for governor, and incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson, who is attempting to fend off a bid by former Gov. Rick Scott.
On Friday, Nov. 9, Trump tweeted, “Mayor Gillum conceded on Election Day and now Broward County has put him ‘back into play.’ Bill Nelson conceded Election - now he’s back in play!? This is an embarrassment to our Country and to Democracy!” Gillum clapped back: “What’s embarrassing to democracy is not counting every vote — and you, of course. Count every vote.” Similarly, Stacey Abrams saw her bid to become the nation’s first Black female governor resuscitated after it appeared she
ABRAMS Page 38
But some members of the Shaw community said they want to stop those plans, calling for DCPS to follow through on promises to build a middle school on those grounds, or at
BANNEKER Page 22
5Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams waves to supporters as she leaves a tailgating event at Georgia State University in Atlanta. /WI Photo/ Michael A. McCoy
Celebrating 54 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area