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On Veterans Day 2010

November 11, 2010 By Doug Francis

Fredercksburg VA National Battlefield

Fredericksburg National Battlefield

One thing about being a real estate agent is that my clients come from different professional backgrounds. Since Northern Virginia abuts Washington D.C. and is home to The Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and much more, there are plenty of veterans that I come in contact with in the real estate business.

On Veterans Day, these veterans pop into my mind:

  • A Navy Admiral introduced me to “Five Guys Burgers & Fries” in Arlington in 1999
  • A former POW who had been in the Hanoi Hilton was a home inspector I used a decade ago
  • A retired Air Force pilot told me about flying F-111’s low over a lake in Canada
  • A client used the Internet to search for homes, when he was stationed in Afghanistan
  • A Naval Reserve Supply Corps officer had to put off house hunting when he received orders to report to duty…  on Monday
  • While in Newport, RI at the Naval War College, a client broke his back playing volleyball. He retired as a Captain 20 years later
  • During Vietnam, a local home inspector was a medic

    USS Compton DD-705 Doc Francis High Line

    Doc Francis on high line Photo: Carl Ericson

  • An agent friend flew F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam
  • During the Korean War, my father left Newport on the USS Compton DD-705
  • Some friends are just about to move for the third time in five years (they have three boys)
  • When dropping off a client at the Pentagon, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter took off next to my car
  • I have seen many Tiki Bars in the basements of WW II vets (see South Pacific)
  • My neighbor flew DC-3’s over the Burmese Hump during WW II and holds the Chinese Air Force Red Star.
  • A client in the Navy now flies senior staff in a G-V around the world
  • A client was a tank driver in Bosnia
  • Another became the chief of a ground crew for a AC-130 gunship in Bosnia at 20
  • And another was left behind, accidentally, in Bosnia and had to catch up to his unit
  • A friend who bought and sold three homes, a Vietnam vet who then worked at NSA,  passed away recently and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery

There is much more to come…

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Hanoi Hilton, Northern Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he "starred" in a tech commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Being able to guide my clients through many real estate sales, either moving out, moving in, or just across town, has been a rewarding experience that helps when discussing a plan with a future client.

Being able to help them focus and understand our proven sales plan always eases their anxiety of this looming personal task. And, putting it into bite-sized steps always helps them get where they really want to be.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the town tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing ~ and my marketing starts here. My elite clientele has been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients now.

Thanks for reading... and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or send me an email at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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