June
20,
2017
A
WEST
VIRGINIA
DAY
OF
REMEMBRANCE
AND
THANKS
Every
June
20th,
West
Virginians
come
together
to
celebrate
the
day
our
beloved
Mountain
State
became
our
country’s
35th
state.
It’s
a
day
that
unites
all
of
us
because
of
our
shared
history
and
traditions.
West
Virginians
share
a
deep
sense
of
pride
for
what
it
means
to
call
this
place
home.
And
this
year,
we
are
especially
proud
as
our
state
turns
154,
and
as
we
look
back
on
the
year
that
has
passed
since
devastating
floods
tested
–
but
did
not
defeat
–
our
spirit
and
strength.
The
State
of
West
Virginia
was
founded
during
the
Civil
War
by
patriots
who
were
willing
to
risk
their
lives
in
a
united
pursuit
of
justice
and
freedom.
Since
our
state
was
forged
through
the
fire
of
our
nation’s
Civil
War,
Mountaineers
have
stepped
forward
for
causes
greater
than
themselves
–
for
love
of
family,
for
protection
of
our
nation,
and
for
fierce
devotion
to
our
state
and
its
people.
West
Virginians
have
always
abandoned
the
status
quo
to
fight
for
what
is
right.
Today,
this
proud
lineage
continues
through
West
Virginians
who
work
incredibly
hard
–
and
who
always,
without
question,
help
one
another.
Mountaineers
inspire
me
every
day,
with
a
powerful
spirit
of
giving
that
made
us
who
we
are
–
and
has
been
the
driving
force
that
carried
us
out
of
last
year’s
flooding
and
toward
a
stronger
tomorrow.
On
this
West
Virginia
Day,
I
am
profoundly
grateful
to
the
countless
volunteers
and
neighbors
who
have
lifted
up
their
fellow
West
Virginians
over
the
past
12
months.
Last
June,
we
lost
23
of
our
own.
Families
were
devastated.
Thousands
of
homes
and
businesses
were
destroyed.
Children
lost
their
schools.
Communities
were
shaken
to
their
core.
But,
as
we
do
in
times
of
challenge
and
trial,
West
Virginians
bounded
strongly
together
–
because
that’s
just
who
we
are.
Local
fire
halls
and
churches
were
food
pantries
and
safe
havens.
First
responders
and
National
Guard
members,
as
they
always
are,
were
heroes.
And
West
Virginians
from
all
backgrounds
and
corners
of
the
state
were
organizers,
ambassadors,
and
philanthropists.
From
the
high
school
students
who
built
tiny
homes
for
flood
survivors
to
the
volunteers
who
cleaned
out
homes,
those
who
delivered
food
and
water
in
a
time
of
great
need,
and
the
neighbors
who
never
forgot
one
another,
the
meaning
of
‘West
Virginian’
is
now
more
deeply
carved
in
stone.
‘West
Virginian’
means
open,
giving
hands.
It
means
casseroles
and
phone
calls.
It
means
tears
of
shared
joy
and
sorrow.
It
means
friendly
waves
and
encouraging
friendships.
It
means
faith
and
conviction
in
the
face
of
loss
and
adversity.
On
this
day
in
1963,
President
John
F.
Kennedy
proclaimed,
"The
sun
does
not
always
shine
in
West
Virginia
but
the
people
always
do."
Last
year
at
this
time,
the
sun
wasn’t
shining
–
but
as
the
floodwaters
receded,
our
spirit
would
shine
once
again.
On
West
Virginia’s
154th
birthday,
we
celebrate
the
remarkable
spirit
of
selflessness
that
defines
our
cherished
state,
has
carried
us
out
of
heartache
–
and
will
keep
us
forever
closely-knit,
and
proud,
and
grateful.
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