For The Catastrophically Injured
15th Year of Volunteer Service to Community
OPERATION TOTAL RESTORATION
"The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."
Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of The United States of America
TRIBUTE to HEROES VIII
OFFICIAL OBSERVANCE PROGRAM
Saturday May 18, 2019
Monongalia County Courthouse Plaza, Historic Square
243 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505
*in case of rain Spruce St. United Methodist Church
386 Spruce St, Morgantown WV 26505
U.S. Armed Forces DaY
8th Gene Vance Jr. Day
To hope, to be optimistic and to build a better, safer, fairer, more just future
is the work of those who perform community service.
Demonstrating commitment to the greater good is the most important way
in which we will prevail as a nation.
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Bill Kawecki
Mayor
All residents and visitors are invited to participate. Show your support and respect for the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform that afford us the freedom we cherish as Americans on this day, in this great land.
9:30 AM LIVE Music on The Historic City Square Plaza
** FEATURED MUSICIANS **
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CEREMONY
The ceremony will be held in the Historic City Plaza
*In case of rain the ceremony will be held at Spruce St. United Methodist Church
Welcome
Master of Ceremonies Command Sergeant Major Dennis Riggs
2nd Battalion 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Posting of Colors
West Virginia Army National Guard
The National Anthem of The United States of America
"The Star Spangled Banner" sung by Vox Principalis Choir
Prayer
Lead by the Reverend Neil Leftwich
Prayer Choral Accompaniment
Sung by Vox Principalis Choir
11:11 AM - GLOBAL MOMENT of SILENCE
will be observed at all Gene Vance Jr. Memorials Worldwide
TRIBUTES and GREETINGS
The State of West Virginia ARMED FORCES DAY CITATION
Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer
West Virginia House of Delegates
The City of Morgantown Annual Gene Vance Jr. Day PROCLAMATION
The Honorable Mayor Bill Kawecki
City of Morgantown
Senator Joe Manchin III
Regional Coordinator Michael Garcia
Senator Shelly Moore Capito
Delegate Evan Hansen
West Virginia House of Delegates
Governor Jim Justice
State Command Sergeant Major James D. Jones
West Virginia Army National Guard
Major General James A. Hoyer
The Adjutant General, West Virginia Joint Forces Headquarters
(by Video)
Command Sergeant Major James D. Jones
State Command Sergeant Major West Virginia Army National Guard
President E. Gordon Gee
Director Jerry L. Wood
West Virginia University Veteran and Military Programs
18th Anniversary Year of 9/11 Tribute
Chief Edward Preston
Chief of Police, City of Morgantown
USMC Veteran
Michael M. J. Minc
Founder, Gene Vance Jr. Foundation
Reading of “Names of the WV Fallen"
and Wreath Laying Ceremony
Command Sergeant Major Dennis Riggs
Command Sergeant Major 2nd Battalion 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Laying of Wreath I
City of Morgantown
The Honorable Mayor Bill Kawecki
Special Guest Greg Carden
Laying of Wreath II
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)
Joan R. Gibson, Woodburn Chapter Regent
Laying of Wreath III
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)
Colonel Zackquill Morgan Chapter
Rebecca Davis, Regent
Special Guests
The West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS)
Thom Kirk, Deputy Secretary
West Virginia House of Delegates
Delegate Evan Hansen
Greg Carden
DHS / WVARNG
Doug and Jane Geary
West Virginia Patriot Guard
HONOR GUARDS
West Virginia Army National Guard
Morgantown Police Dept.
Morgantown Fire Department
Flag Line
West Virginia Patriot Guard
Official Photograph & Media Event
Monongalia County Courthouse Plaza, Historic Square
243 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505
*in case of rain the ceremony will be held at Morgantown's United Methodist Church 386 Spruce St, Morgantown WV 26505
Program & Events may be subject to change. Watch media for updates.
12:00 PM- EVENTS START...