OCEANA, WV – In honor of all West Virginians who have made the personal sacrifice of serving our country to protect our freedoms, Gov. Jim Justice celebrated Veterans Day today by taking part in a dedication ceremony for the new Veteran Wall and War Memorial in the Wyoming County town of Oceana.
The Governor joined area officials and residents, as well as leaders with the West Virginia National Guard and the Oceana Veterans Support Group, for the ceremony at the memorial site off of Route 10, across from Gilliland Park in Oceana.
“This memorial has been in the works for a long time. It’s long overdue, but I’m really proud to help get this done for our brave veterans,” Gov. Justice said. “We need to appreciate these people because they’ve given and sacrificed more than we can even imagine. Everything we have, we owe to them.”
The memorial consists of a black brick commemorative wall, which stands in honor of all veterans, no matter where they are from. It also includes uprights, adorned with the names of the Wyoming County veterans who died in combat in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the conflicts in the Middle East.
“This state’s contribution to our military is unbelievable. On a per capita basis, we knock it completely out of the park with our participation,” Gov. Justice said. “Our people have always been there to answer the call when our country needs us.
“I am so proud to be a West Virginian and, to think of the contribution that so many have made to the military that are in West Virginia, is unbelievable.”
After unveiling the memorial display, the ceremony continued with a tribute to those who gave their lives in service to the state and country, as members of an honor guard detail performed a 21-gun salute, played Taps, and held a formal folding of the American flag in memory of these fallen heroes.
Additional speakers at the Veterans Day ceremony included Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, Maj. Gen. James Hoyer; West Virginia Senators Sue Cline and Rollan Roberts; and Veteran Wall and War Memorial project chairman, Danny Lester.
Construction of the memorial has been spearheaded by the Oceana Veterans Support Group, in partnership with Disabled American Veterans (DAV).