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O'Neill Geography 101: Richmond, VA      
Just a one hour and fifteen minute flight from Cleveland, Richmond, Virginia is one of the eight geographic regions eligible for O'Neill funding.For many year, O'Neill family members have studied, worked, vacationeed or called the Richmond area their home.  Founded in 1737, the Greater Richmond metropolitan area is home to 1,212,977 Virginians.  The historic city that served as the capital of the Confederate States during the Civil War is home to St. John's Church where Patrick Henry delivered the infamous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in 1775.  In recent years, Hurricane Isabel (2003) and Tropical Storm Gaston (2004) have swept through the region causing flooding, power outages and wind damage.
     Richmond is home to several fortune 500 companies including Doninion resources, CrMax, Owens & Minor, Genworth Financial, MeadWestvaco and the Altria Group. Historic points of interest include St. John's Church, the Edgar Allen Poe museum and hollywood Cemetery. "
     The region, which served as the backdrop to many historic moments of The Civil War, abound with treasures hidden for over a century.  Over the years O'Neill family members have found wedding bands, pottery, Indian "flake" arrowheads, colonial pipes and bullets.  Suzy, an O'Neill family member who lives in the region, describes Richmond as "a strong community where everbody helps everybody. . .where you're always stepping into a bit of history." Considering a visit? Suzy suggests visiting between May and October to see the region at its finest.  While in town, she suggests touring the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, visiting the Greek Festival, or eating at The Hard Shell or one of the other fine restaurants in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood. For more information on Richmond see:  www.rivercityrichmond.com, www.richmondguide.com, or www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_va.