West Virginia

Retiring Brigadier General of the West Virginia Army National Guard is celebrated – WV MetroNews

Published

1 year ago

November 15, 2024

Retiring Brigadier General of the West Virginia Army National Guard is celebrated – WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The first female to become a general officer for the West Virginia Army National Guard in the history of the Mountain State is now saying goodbye after 30 years of service.

A retirement ceremony was held for Brigadier General Michaelle Munger at the state Culture Center Friday where National Guard and Army members, military and elected officials came together to wish her farewell.

Brig. Gen. Munger assumed her current duties as Special Assistant to the Adjutant General of West Virginia on October 1, 2021. A couple months later, she was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on December 2, 2021, making her the first woman to become a general officer for the West Virginia National Guard.

Munger said it was a promotion that was a particular highlight in her 30 years of service.

Brig. Gen. Michaelle Munger

“That has been such an honor, because I feel like it has given some of our female soldiers hope that there’s opportunity, that they can do it,” Munger told MetroNews at Friday’s ceremony.

Munger has served in every component of the U.S. Army throughout the course of her career.

After serving 10 years in active Army, she then went on to complete two years in the Army Reserves before entering her final 15 years in the West Virginia National Guard.

Munger said it’s bittersweet to be coming to the end of her career, and also a little overwhelming to be leaving the structure the military has taught her.

“It’s a little surreal,” Munger said. “I think operating and maturing through the military for 30 years, sometimes I feel like leaving is stepping into a world of chaos, because I understand the structure and how the military operates.”

In 1994, Munger was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps, serving in various roles, including working for the National Guard Bureau and serving at the Pentagon.

As the Special Assistant to the Adjutant General, Munger assists the Adjutant General in special projects such as the Joint Diversity Executive Council which seeks to create an organizational culture where diversity is valued.

She is also currently employed as a civilian as a Senior Environmental Scientist out of Gloucester, Virginia.

Munger told MetroNews that there has been a distinct difference within each of the roles she has served.

The most comparable differences she said has been between serving in active duty and serving in the National Guard here in West Virginia. Munger said where the active Army is so large, it was never as personal as coming to the Guard was for her.

“It’s a family, a lot of folks have entered together, they served almost their entire careers together, and there’s just a bond that’s super incredible to witness,” she said.

She said it was also amazing to experience just how the Guard supports their communities. In her time during the Guard, Munger said her work included helping with flood duties and mine rescues.

Also in 1994, through the Reserve Officer Training Course at Christopher Newport University in Newport, Virginia, Munger earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Spanish. She then went on to earn her first Master of Science in Environmental Studies from California State University-Fullerton in Fullerton, California.

In addition, Munger completed the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) at National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, where she also earned her second Master of Science in Campaign Planning and Strategy.

Munger said her biggest take-away of serving in the military for as long as she has is not only the structure that it taught her, but also the relations she has built with other members and leaders over the years.

“As long as I’ve been in, the people are what make it the best, and leadership is timeless, not matter through the ages and the changes of technology and personnel, everybody craves leaders, and I’m going to miss that aspect of hopefully being a great leader and an example,” Munger said.

Munger leaves her years of military service with a number of awards and decorations, some of which include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Army Staff Identification Badge and the recipient of the Military Order of St. Christopher Award, among several others.

Upon her retirement, Munger said she now plans to devote her time to her husband of 25-years, a Navy SEAL, their two children and family.

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West Virginia

West Virginia seeks Purple Hearts for two National Guard members

Published

1 hour ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia seeks Purple Hearts for two National Guard members

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WTAP) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Friday that the state has requested that the Purple Heart be awarded to the two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C.

The Governor requested the Purple Heart to be awarded posthumously to U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the incident, and be awarded to Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically injured.

“Their actions on that tragic day meet the highest and clearest standards for the Purple Heart, a decoration that recognizes those wounded or killed in action against an enemy or during a hostile or terrorist act,” Morrisey said. “I could not think of two servicemembers more deserving of this award.”

Gov. Morrisey also reviewed broader work by the West Virginia National Guard and the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance during 2025.

The National Guard carried out overseas missions, including deployments to the Middle East and Europe, and operations along the U.S. Southwest border. The Guard also responded to two major flooding events in the state. In February 2025, more than 350 service members were mobilized across 14 counties, conducting swift-water rescues, distributing nearly 340,000 bottles of water and clearing more than 17,000 tons of debris.

A separate response to flash flooding in Ohio and Marion counties in June 2025 involved nearly 200 Guard members who cleared an additional 12,000 tons of debris.

When the federal government shut down in October, the National Guard helped ensure families had access to meals. One hundred sixty-four service members distributed more than 1 million pounds of food to over 400 food pantries.

The governor highlighted work by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance. Services officers secured $5.4 billion in federal benefits for West Virginia veterans in 2025, an increase of $500 million from 2024.

The department also advanced facility modernization projects. The Veterans Home in Barboursville received upgrades to the kitchen, infirmary and HVAC systems.

Major renovations are underway at the Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, including construction of a new kitchen and installation of a modern nurse call system.

“Taking care of the common, everyday issues can make a huge difference in our everyday lives, and that’s just what Veterans Assistance is doing with these upgrades. Our veterans are fantastic people who don’t ask for much, and it’s great to see this great work being done on their behalf,” Gov. Morrisey said.

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West Virginia

More than 30,000 without power in West Virginia after strong winds overnight

Published

13 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

More than 30,000 without power in West Virginia after strong winds overnight

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A large portion of the Mountain State saw storms with gusty winds last night, which has resulted in several trees coming down across roads, thousands of power outages and schools being delayed and closed.

As of Friday morning, the WV 511 website displays multiple warnings of fallen trees and debris in roadways, including several in north-central West Virginia. Both Harrison and Marion County 911 logs show crews responding to several reports of trees down.

WV 511

The First Energy website also shows that a total of 36,688 of its customers are currently without power, with many still waiting for an estimated restoration time.

Due to these power outages, multiple schools throughout West Virginia have been delayed or closed for the day, including those in Barbour, Gilmer, Lewis, Marion, Ritchie, Taylor, and Upshur counties.

Regular trees weren’t the only ones forced down due to the winds. Christmas decorations, including the Bridgeport Christmas tree, were knocked over as well.

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West Virginia

Man dies in southern W.Va. mining incident

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Man dies in southern W.Va. mining incident

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A miner died Thursday after an incident at a coal mine in Wyoming County, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.

The governor said it happened at the Lower War Eagle mine.

Morrisey released the following statement on Thursday evening:

“Denise and I were deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a coal miner today at the Lower War Eagle mine in Wyoming County. Our hearts go out to his family, loved ones, and coworkers during this sorrowful time.

“The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training responded immediately and is conducting a full investigation.

“Each day, West Virginia miners perform difficult and demanding tasks. They do this to provide for their families, to build the communities, and to forge a better future for the next generation of West Virginians. It is that work, their strength, and their dedication that defines our state and our nation.

“I ask that all West Virginians lift this miner’s family, friends, and community up in your prayers and keep them in your thoughts through the difficult days ahead.”

The victim’s name has not been released.

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