West Virginia
A day to remember – WV MetroNews
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia remembered those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country in various ceremonies on Memorial Day.
“Over the time that our veterans have served over 30,000 veterans have lost their lives,” Navy Veteran David Starliper, who served in Operation Desert Storm,” said at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg Monday.
Starliper told the Panhandle News Network the war dead gave their all and they’ve also helped keep other veterans alive.
“Because of our brothers and sisters who died overseas we’ve lessons of how to continue to strive for better outcomes,” Starliper said.
At the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Institute, Honor Guard President Donald Ryan took part in the 11th annual flag burning ceremony.
“For a flag that has seen it’s last days, it’s worn and tethered, you don’t just throw them in a garbage can, you retire them,” Ryan said. “One of the retirements is to burn them or bury them and we choose to burn them.”
Flags are dropped off at he cemetery all year long. There were several hundred to burn on Monday.
“Throughout the year VFWs will bring theirs out here along with individuals. We’ve had flags from all over the place,” Ryan said.
There were a number of family members of deceased veterans who were making their way through the white headstones Monday. Ryan said there are many heroes buried there.
“Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” he said.
The ceremony at the Kinnard Cemetery included a gun salute and the playing of Taps.
A large crowd turned out the annual Memorial Day Parade in Grafton and the Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony at the Grafton National Cemetery.
MetroNews reporter Chris Lawrence and WEPM reporter Marsha Kavalek contributed to this story.
West Virginia
Iconic country music band Alabama takes stage for West Virginia’s America 250 celebration
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Thousands descended upon the West Virginia Capitol on Friday night to hear one of the most iconic country music bands of all time.
Alabama took to the Boulevard Stage shortly before 8 p.m. and gave fans a show lasting approximately 90 minutes, despite the grueling heat that has been factor throughout America250 celebrations and the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.
Performing songs such as “Song of the South,” “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” and the classic “Dixieland Delight,” the two-time Grammy Award-winning band even gave West Virginians a treat by playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which the band said was at the request of Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
The band opened up a weekend full of performances at the Capitol. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will take the stage on Saturday, while the Marshall Tucker Band will perform on Sunday.
The performances are just a piece of what is going on at the Capitol, as vendors and family-friendly activities are offered all weekend. In the evenings, fireworks, light shows and drone shows will light up the night in celebration of America’s 250th.
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Additionally, a 230-foot Ferris wheel is free for visitors to ride throughout the weekend.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Independence Day weekend is here, and communities across North Central West Virginia are celebrating with parades, festivals, and fireworks.
The events we’ve been made aware of are listed below for Friday and Saturday. If you know of an event that’s not listed, feel free to email us at news@wdtv.com.
Friday — July 3
- Elkins’ Red, White & Summer Nights First Friday — Elkins — 4-9 p.m.
- Fireworks on the Hill (sponsored by WDTV and the Bridgeport CVB) — Bridgeport — 9:45 p.m.
- Terra Alta Volunteer Fire Department — Terra Alta — 100th annual fireworks celebration at 10 p.m.
- Burnsville Freedom Festival —Burnsville — parade starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday — July 4
- Mountaineer Days — Thomas — Noon to dark (fireworks included)
- 100th Old Fashion Day in the Park — Terra Alta — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Morgantown Municipal Band performance — Morgantown — 11 a.m., Parade 4 p.m. and fireworks at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park after dark
- Elkins Fourth of July Parade — Elkins — 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
- Stonewall Resort — Roanoke — Fireworks at dark
- Barbour County Fairgrounds — Philippi — fireworks at dark
- Downtown Weston Street Fair — Weston — fair begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
- Downtown Thomas — Thomas — festival begins at 8 a.m. and fireworks at dark
- Jawbone Park — Buckhannon — celebration at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dark
- Palatine Park — Fairmont — fireworks at 10 p.m.
- Monongah Town Hall — Monongah — fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Sagebrush Round-Up — Fairmont — country music and fireworks from 4-10 p.m.
- Fairview Volunteer Fire Department — Fairview — parade starts at 10 a.m., and fireworks start at 10 p.m.
- Burnsville Freedom Festival — Burnsville — event runs from 3-9 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.
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