Volunteer Spotlight: Dave James

NPS Photo

Some people are just born with it—and Dave James is one of them. When asked about his outgoing nature, the Chicago native smiles and says, “Talking to people just comes naturally. I believe in giving folks the best hospitality.”

That spirit of hospitality is what makes Dave such a beloved presence at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Since 2012, he’s been a familiar face behind the visitor center desk, offering a warm welcome and a wealth of historical knowledge to guests.

But Dave’s connection to the park goes back much further. “My two sons used to attend the old Montfort Catholic School, right up on Marye’s Heights,” he recalls. “I remember when the Sunken Road before it was closed to traffic—I used to drive down it to reach the road that passed over the heights.”

He says that weekends were often spent playing with his boys on the school's playground. He fondly remembers moments by the brick wall that separated the schoolyard from the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. “Whenever a ball would accidentally go over the wall, my sons would feel bad,” Dave says. “I’d lift them up and say, ‘It’s okay. You’re not doing anything wrong. See those gravestones? A lot of those are young boys. And you know what? I think they’d want to play ball with you if they could.’”

Dave’s lifelong fascination with the Civil War started early, and his deep knowledge of military history reflects his own experience as an infantry officer in the Army. Later, it was a career with the FBI that brought him to the D.C. area. Since then, Fredericksburg has become home.

When he retired, Dave knew he wanted to give back to the community—and he found the perfect place to do just that. “If people make the effort to come here,” he says, “I want them to feel seen.”

The National Park Service is lucky to have Dave James as part of its volunteer family. His kindness, knowledge, and dedication have left a lasting impression on visitors and staff alike.

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