Veterans day Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Welch To Host The Oldest Continually Running Veterans Day Parade In The Nation

The city of Welch will be hosting its 105th Veterans Day parade. The small town of 3,590 people is home to the longest continually running Veterans Day parade in the Nation.

The city of Welch will be hosting its 105th Veterans Day parade. The small town of 3,590 people is home to the longest continually running Veterans Day parade in the nation on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Frank Cooley, event organizer and general chairman of the American Legion McDowell County Post 8, said this parade exemplifies the patriotism of his community.

“Our little small town is not nothing like it used to be. We don’t have wall-to-wall people,” Cooley said. “But I can assure you, the people that are there today are the most patriotic in this country. They come out every year, braving the weather, the coldness, whatever it might be, to celebrate the occasion that we honor our men and women who have served and are still serving this great nation.”

The parade begins at the Welch City Hall and Fire Department and will head down Wyoming Street and back up McDowell Street. There will be awards for best float, best band and best youth group. Cooley said it takes an intense, coordinated effort to put on this parade.

“The city of Welch bends over backwards to do whatever they can to help make the Veterans Day parade the greatest one of all,” he said.

Cooley advises attendees to arrive early to find parking and walk to the parade. Individuals with disabilities are advised to arrive extra early so they can find a spot. Cooley said there are some spots where attendees can watch the parade from their vehicle.

“There’s places that you can just pull your automobile up and sit in your seat and watch as it goes by,” Cooley said.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the Jack Caffrey Arts and Cultural Center where there will be a Veterans Honor display from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

VA And Mountaineer Food Bank Host Monthly Food Drive For Veterans And Active-Duty Military

A free monthly food drive for veterans and active-duty military will be on Nov. 3 at 200 Stadium Road in Beckley beginning at 8 a.m. Usually the distribution is the second Friday of the month, however due to the federal holiday, Veterans Day, the distribution will be the first Friday.

The program was designed to help alleviate food insecurity for veterans. Sara Yoke spokesperson for the Beckley VA Medical Center says that the rise in living cost have especially affected veterans who oftentimes live on a fixed income.

“I think with Veterans Day approaching, one of the most important ways we can honor our nation’s veterans is ensuring that they have access to the nutrition they need to thrive and stay healthy. That’s the least we can do,” Yoke said.

The program is a product of the partnership between the VA and the Mountaineer Food Bank. She says that each month the food bank in Beckley distributes around 600 boxes. However, she says that typically they don’t have enough food boxes for everyone.

“Unfortunately, there’s still a growing demand as people struggle with the economy and we have an aging veteran population that we serve. Those two things coincide,” Yoke said. “We have to ensure that we help out the Mountaineer Food Bank, you know, continuously help grow their donation network.”

She said statewide the need is even greater. Between January and September of 2023, the program has distributed 12,000 food boxes. The boxes are packed with pantry staples and fresh produce.

Check in begins at 8 a.m. and the distribution is held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. There are no income parameters for receiving a food box.

Welch Veterans Day Parade Celebrates 104 Years

Parades to honor Veterans Day have become a tradition across the country, and no one has been doing it longer than the people who live in McDowell County.

The Veterans Day Parade in Welch will march through town for the 104th time this year. The annual parade is the longest continually running Veterans Day Parade in the country. It’s one of the largest events in McDowell County, and serves to commemorate the service and sacrifice made for the United States.

Welch Mayor Harold McBride said holding the parade in McDowell makes sense as the county has the most veterans per capita in the state.

The parade ends in Welch in front of the large parking garage with performances and speeches. Steve Mooney is the Director of Operations for the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance and is the featured parade speaker.

Mooney, a retired U.S. Army Warrant Officer, oversees 14 benefits and claims offices, and a staff of 34, which include regional supervisors, veterans service officers and assistants. His department leads the state’s push to direct U.S. Veterans Affairs benefits and cash to West Virginia veterans.

Last year, West Virginia veterans received more than $2.5 billion in assistance.

“Despite the many changes Welch and McDowell county has seen in the past 104 years, our commitment in the area to respecting our military service in West Virginia, is a source of pride for me, and I hope it will continue indefinitely,” said American Legion Post 8 Commander Jan Williams. “I’m honored to lead the parade in 2022 and I look forward to attending the 105th celebration next year.”

Us & Them Talks With Medal Of Honor Recipient Woody Williams

Us & Them host Trey Kay honors Veterans Day with a remarkable conversation with the last surviving World War ll U.S. Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams grew up as a farm kid in the Mountain State and enlisted in the Marine Corps just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served in the Pacific campaign and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Williams received the Medal of Honor for fighting against enemy positions to open a lane for infantry soldiers. For four hours under heavy fire, he used a flamethrower against reinforced concrete pillbox defenses.

After leaving active service, Williams created a foundation to honor the families of service people lost in battle and offer scholarships to the children of fallen soldiers.

Williams, who is 98, says his goal is to ride a horse on his 100th birthday.

This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the CRC Foundation and the West Virginia Humanities Council.

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