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Flavor meets function: Quick and easy meals from canned tuna Rainbow Tuna Bowls, Bang Bang Tuna Sliders, Garden Farro Tuna Salad PECIPES ON PAGE 6
The Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship Returns to the Norfolk Scope Plaza on Saturday, April 18. This event is free & open to the public. (PHOTO COURTESY VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL & VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO)
Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship returns to Norfolk April 18
Can’t attend in person? Watch live on the Virginia International Tattoo’s Facebook page Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. — The Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship will return to Scope Plaza on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM. Massed Bands performance and Awards Ceremony begins at 6:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public. EIGHT BANDS ARE REGISTERED TO COMPETE:
Grade Three: Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums, Pittsburgh PA MacMillan Birtles Pipe Band, Rockville MD Siren City Pipe Band, Norfolk VA St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band, Kearny, NJ Wake and District Public Safety Pipes and Drums, Raleigh NC Grade Two: Great Lakes Pipe Band, Cleveland, OH MacMillan Pipe Band, Washington DC
Grade 2: $2,000, first place; $1,000, second place; $500, third place. Grade 3: $1,500, first place; $1,000, second place; $500, third place. The contest format will require each band to play twice—first in a March, Strathspey and Reel event and then in a Medley event—for a panel of eight highly acclaimed international judges. Cash prizes will be awarded to the aggregate winners in each grade: The event will also include a fun Drum Fanfare Competition with a single “winner takes all” $1,000 prize. The championships are open to the public and attendance is free of charge. Andrew Carlisle, Professor of Music and the Director of Piping at Carnegie Mellon University and a longtime member of the 13-time world champion Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band in Northern Ireland, will return as the contest’s Artistic Director. “The afternoon of Saturday, April 18th will again be one of downtown Norfolk’s most exciting musical experiences with the ninth
edition of the American Pipe Band Championships,” said Carlisle. “It is a unique opportunity to hear some of our nation’s finest pipe bands battle it out on Scope Plaza in front of internationally acclaimed adjudicators. The Championship will end with the ever-popular spectacle of all the competing bands joining forces to perform as a Massed Band ahead of the presentation of prizes. This event is free of charge and an event that demonstrates the best pipers and drummers in the country - an event not to be missed! The American Pipe Band Championship coincides with the Virginia International Tattoo, which will take place April 16-19 at Scope Arena. The international Massed Pipes and Drums this year will feature: Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums (Camden, NJ), Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums (Canada), and Tidewater Pipes and Drums (Norfolk, VA). The Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship originated in 2016, when J. Scott Jackson, General Manager
of the Virginia Arts Festival and Producer/ Director of the Virginia International Tattoo, added the event to draw competitive pipe bands to the Tattoo’s diverse line-up. Scotland’s Inveraray & District Pipe Band won the inaugural event, which featured four Grade 1 bands. Grade 2 champions in subsequent years included City of Dunedin Pipe Band in 2017 and 2018, MacMillan Pipe Band in 2019 and 2022 and Ulster Scottish Pipe Band in 2023 and 2024. This year’s contest will once again be livestreamed on the Virginia International Tattoo’s Facebook page @VaTatt beginning at noon Eastern Time. The closing ceremonies will also be livestreamed starting at 5:50 PM. For more information about the Virginia International Tattoo, visit: www.vafest. org/tattoo. For more information about the Virginia Arts Festival, visit: www.vafest.org. For more coverage of the Virginia International Tattoo, turn to pages 4-5.
Operation Homefront celebrates seven exceptional teens with 2026 Military Child of the Year® Award Press Release
SAN ANTONIO, TX- Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit serving and supporting America’s military and veteran families, has announced the recipients of its 2026 Military Child of the Year® Award. These seven military-connected teens were selected from among more than 1,000 nominees and demonstrate excellence in character, community service, and leadership. Operation Homefront recognizes the profound impact military children bring to their families, schools, and the communities they help shape. Now in its 18th year, the Military Child of the Year® Award celebrates those young people who embrace the challenges of military life and transform adversity into growth. The seven recipients represent the armed forces branch in which a parent either serves or has served — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force. While their individual stories are unique, they share common themes of perseverance and meaningful achievement amid frequent moves, separation, and transitions. “The sacrifice of military service extends beyond the individual in uniform. At Operation Homefront, we are committed to ensuring every member of the military family feels
valued and empowered,” said Rear Admiral (ret) Alan Reyes, CEO of Operation Homefront. “The Military Child of the Year® Award spotlights extraordinary young people who shoulder unique responsibilities and turn them into leadership and impact. These are not stories of success despite challenges - they are stories of success because of them.” This year’s Military Child of the Year® Award recipients have moved a combined 35 times and lived through 255 months of deployments. They have logged 4,849 volunteer hours in the 12 months before nominations. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of volunteer judges who support the military community. The seven recipients will be honored at the Military Child of the Year® Awards Gala in Arlington, VA on April 23, presented by JPMorganChase. Each will also receive a $10,000 grant, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts.
The awardees are: AIR FORCE Elizabeth Stanton, 16 College Station, TX ARMY Amani Ambay, 18 Lutz, FL
COAST GUARD Victoria “Tori” Vanacore, 17 Kill Devil Hills, NC MARINE CORPS Hannah Kirksey, 17 Sneads Ferry, NC NATIONAL GUARD Lila Morgan, 18 Lithia, FL NAVY Ayla Zook, 18 King George, VA SPACE FORCE Taylor Schreiner, 18 Colorado Springs, CO
About Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by improving their financial, emotional and social well-being. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 83 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent shortterm needs from turning into chronic, longterm struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.
In addition, 35 program finalists received a special one-time $1,000 cash award provided AYLA ZOOK by Town House® Crackers. Additional sponsors include: Asurion, 2026 Military Child of the Year® Carnival Cruise Line, Cydecor, Dollar Tree, for the Navy GEICO, Hilton Grand Vacations Foundation, La Quinta by Wyndham, P&G, and RTX. As part of a military family, Ayla Zook Learn more about the Military Child of the learned early how to embrace fresh opporYear® Award at https://operationhomefront. org/military-child-of-the-year/. See MILITARY Child of the YEAR ON PAGE A3
Celebrate National Bike Month at the Virginia Zoo’s Bike Night
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THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered to your door for free!
Bring your bike and cruise through 53 acres of beautifully landscaped paths. Page 2
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