Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.
A new Union Navy exhibition opened at Fort Ward Museum (4301 W. Braddock Road) on Oct. 2, and will be on display through 2026.
The “Aboard Ship with the Jack-Tars of the Union Navy” exhibition is being held in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy on Oct. 13, 1775, according to the city. Thousands of sailors, nicknamed jack-tars, helped blockade the 3,500 miles of Confederate coastline, catapulting the unit into the largest navy in the world. Hallmarks of the exhibition include examples of tools, clothing, weapons and personal items from the sailors. It also features a profile on Commander James Harmon Ward, the namesake of the fort, who was the first Union Naval officer to die in the war.
