On the Road

 September 15

It was a busy and special day in Huntington with Ken Fisher, CEO and President of the Fisher House Foundation, who joined me for the day to honor service members and their families.   First, I was honored to join West Virginia POW's and their families at the Huntington VA Medical Center, in commemoration of National POW/MIA Day. Then, Ken Fisher, WV Veterans Affairs Secretary Dennis Davis, VA Medical Center Director Brian Nimmo, General Jim Hoyer, myself and other guests announced the Fisher House Foundation will open a new location at the entrance of the Huntington VA. Finally, I had the incredible honor of helping to present Pearl Harbor survivor and West Virginia native Wetzel Sanders with the Purple Heart he earned nearly 76 years ago during World War II.  Veterans, Gold Star Families, Marshall University, Ken Fisher and leaders from state and local government as well as congressional offices joined together to participate in the long-overdue award presentation to Wetzel.  Many leaders who could not attend sent their congratulations to Wetzel and his family, which made it a warm West Virginia tribute to honor Wetzel, and all Veterans who have served and sacrificed.

 

West Virginia Spotlight

Recovery-4-A-Change at Harris Riverfront Park

"Minds Change, Lives Change, Families Change, Communities Change"

Recovery-4-A-Change celebrates the progress we have made as a statewide community in helping our citizens get the resources they need to battle and prevent addiction.  At this special event last Friday, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams proclaimed September as Recovery Month.  I was also humbled to speak about the effects addition has had on our state and the people who inspire me every single day with their stories of hope and recovery.  So many wonderful people were recognized for their efforts in their communities to fight addiction and I appreciate everyone who came out to support these brave individuals and groups.

(Photo credit: Ryan Fischer/ The Herald-Dispatch)

 

Do you have a nomination for a Spotlight Feature? Click here to inform my office.

 

How May We Help You?

 Military Service Academies

U.S. Naval Academy

"From Knowledge, Sea Power"

This week, I am highlighting the second oldest of the five service academies.

The Naval Academy in Annapolis, known as “The Yard”, primarily commissions officers to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.  The academy is considered a technological institution—specializing in Engineering and Weapons, Mathematics and Science, and Humanities and Social Science.  It also has some of the highest paid graduates in the country according to starting salary.  

In addition to the curriculum, moral and ethical development is fundamental to all aspects of the Naval Academy.  The academy focus is integrity, honor, and mutual respect.  Midshipmen are persons of integrity—they stand for which is right.  They do not lie, cheat, or steal.  

Naval Academy graduates include one President of the United States, 24 Members of Congress, and 5 Governors.  A total of 73 graduates have been awarded the Medal of Honor.  In addition, 53 NASA astronauts, 49 Rhodes Scholars, 5 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 3 Cabinet Secretaries and 2 Nobel Prize Winners are U.S. Naval Academy Alumni.  

If you are interested in becoming part of the Naval Academy’s esteemed alumni, I encourage you to apply for a nomination from my office.  You may find my application online at www.manchin.senate.gov.  The deadline to submit applications is October 6.  

United States Naval Academy

Department of the Navy

Annapolis MD 21402

(410) 267-4361

Website: www.usna.edu