Two West Virginia firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023. A memorial service in Emmitsburg, Maryland next week will honor their legacies, as well as those fallen firefighters from across the nation.
Two fallen West Virginia firefighters will be honored at an upcoming memorial service at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Across the nation, more than 80 firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023. This included 28-year-old Cody Mullens and 75-year-old Ron Strosnider, who died in separate incidents last year.
To memorialize their legacies, and honorees nationwide, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host a public candlelight service May 4 at 7:30 p.m., hosted by St. Louis City Fire Captain Garon Mosby.
Then, on May 5 at 10 a.m., the NFFF will host a full memorial service hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.
Both events will be held at the park, located at 16835 S. Seton Ave. in Emmitsburg. Additional programming will be offered specifically to the family members and colleagues of fallen firefighters.
The NFFF anticipates thousands of attendees at the weekend’s ceremonies, according to a Thursday press release.
“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes—and their families.”
For more information on the firefighters being honored at this year’s ceremony, visit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s 2024 Roll of Honor.
On this West Virginia Morning, Bill Lynch has health experts explaining what you need to know if you’re out in the woods and you find a tick latched to your body.
Also, there’s a scholarship program now underway in honor of fallen West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard.
On this West Virginia Morning, Bill Lynch has health experts explaining what you need to know if you’re out in the woods and you find a tick latched to your body.
Also, there’s a scholarship program now underway in honor of fallen West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, hundreds from close to home and around the nation attended the memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. Randy Yohe spoke with some of those who came to honor the life and legacy of a beloved trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty last Friday.
On this West Virginia Morning, hundreds of thousands of people are seeking political asylum in the U.S. Many, including folk musician Larry Bellorin, are waiting for an interview with U.S. immigration agents.
In our latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with Bellorin and his performing partner Joe Troop who make up the duo Larry & Joe. They play a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music.
Also, in this show, hundreds from close to home and around the nation attended the memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. Randy Yohe spoke with some of those who came to honor the life and legacy of a beloved trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty last Friday.
And, the drug epidemic is an ever-evolving hot button topic with tons of buzzwords. But what does it all mean? Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice sat down with Susan Mullens, West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network Project coordinator to discuss terminology.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
More than a thousand people, hailing from close to home and around the nation, attended the Wednesday memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard.
More than a thousand people, hailing from close to home and around the nation, attended the Wednesday memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. The trooper was shot and killed in the line of duty last Friday.
Troopers from both panhandles and from the Iowa, New Jersey and Nebraska State Police, joined masses of first responders and civilians who packed the funeral service in the Mingo Central High School gymnasium.
Curtis Meade, from Matewan, said Cory Maynard helped him once when he ran out of gas. He said the trooper ended up helping save him from living a troubled life.
“We became buddies,” Meade said. “The day I found out that it was him that was shot. It ate me up. I ain’t gonna lie, I was wanting to go after that dude. But, like God and Cory said, forgive and forget. I decided the best thing I could do is come up here and show my respects to a buddy of mine.”
Denise Browning brought her daughter Olivia to the memorial, paying a debt of gratitude to a first responder who became a perpetual part of their lives. Browning said Maynard was there in a moment of personal tragedy.
“Olivia was raped in 2019 and Cory Maynard stood by her side,” Browning said. “He was a fantastic guy in every single way. If I needed him at one o’clock in the morning, I could call his cell phone, he would talk and come if necessary.”
Iowa State Patrol and New Jersey State Police Troopers in line for visitation. Credit: Randy Yohe/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Shawn Marcum said he was honored to call Maynard a personal friend. Marcum was one of dozens who agreed that the 37-year-old husband and father, library volunteer and community activist was the kind of person you wanted your son or daughter to grow up to be like.
“He would help anyone in need,” Marcum said. “I’ve witnessed multiple times of him just stopping on the street, both in and out of uniform, to help people. It didn’t matter whether it was to buy something to drink, if they needed food just to talk. Cory never met a stranger.”
State Police Major Jim Mitchell said the sermon he delivered at the memorial service honored a person who truly lived a life of service to others. Mitchell said Marcum was the finest example of a trooper — and a person. He called him a generous man who was raised well and cherished his loving family — his wife Rachel, daughter Zoe and son Finn.
“We want to give his family the honor that they deserve,” Mitchell said. “They’ve stood by Cory for the 15 years that he served us. And it’s not easy for a family. But they really have, and they’ve done well. So we want to honor him. We want to honor his family. We want to honor the state police family.”
Mitchell said he told Maynard’s fellow troopers to take the pain that might be inside them and manifest it for the good.
“Sometimes, if we’re careful or not careful, things like this can happen,” he said. “It can upset us, it makes us angry and makes us sad. And if you just respond to the mere emotion of it, it’s not the best thing. But if you can sit back and look at it and remember why we’re here, why we do this — that’s how we continue.”
It seemed all who attended the funeral were close or extended family who came to honor the life and legacy of a beloved West Virginia State Police Trooper.
A military and first responder procession took Williams' body from the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center in Wayne County to Beard Mortuary in Huntington. Barry Ransbottom with Beard Mortuary released the Williams family’s plans for the memorial and funeral services.
World War II Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams passed away Wednesday morning.
A military and first responder procession took his body from the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center in Wayne County to Beard Mortuary in Huntington.
Barry Ransbottom with Beard Mortuary released the Williams family’s plans for the memorial and funeral services.
A procession on Saturday, July 2 will leave Beard Mortuary at 8 a.m. and proceed to the State Capitol in Charleston.
Woody Williams will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 3.
The funeral service will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Culture Center in the State Capitol Complex. Burial will be private at the family’s request.
Ransbottom said Williams would visit Beard Mortuary every so often to help plan his own memorial and funeral proceedings.
Nearly 100 mourners gathered at a memorial service for Ken Hechler Monday at the Culture Center on the state Capitol complex.
Hechler, a nine-term Congressman and West Virginia’s Secretary of State, passed away Dec. 10 at 102.
The service included remembrances from some of the state’s top political leaders as well as close personal friends and former employees of Hechler. They included Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, former longtime Attorney General Darrell McGraw, and several others.
Known for his larger than life personality, Hechler spent nine terms in Congress where he fought for civil rights and coal mine safety legislation and for compensation for miners suffering from black lung disease.
He served as West Virginia’s Secretary of State for 15 years and was a special assistant to President Harry Truman as well as a decorated war veteran, historian and professor.
Additional services:
Wednesday, Dec. 22 4-8 p.m.- Viewing at Giffin Funeral Home in Capon Bridge
Thursday, Dec. 23 11:00 a.m.- Augusta Church of Christ in Augusta
Burial will follow Thursday service at Branch Mountain United Methodist Cemetery in Three Churches
