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ISSUE 1811

CCX

MISSIONAL MAGAZINE

100th Welch Veterans Day

Parade marches through

city’s downtown

Our eighth

annual Thankful

Families Dinner

It doesn't

just happen,

 On cover: Mayor of Welch Reba Honaker

Cover
100th Annual Veterans Day Parade

Honoring our troops: 100th Welch Veterans Day Parade marches through city’s downtown

WELCH — Marching bands, dancers, fire engines and hundreds of spectators waiving American flags were all a demonstration Monday of patriotism and support when the 100th Welch Veterans Day Parade came through the city’s downtown.

The parade’s 67 units marched down McDowell Street to show support and appreciation for the many veterans marching in the parade and watching it. Former County Commissioner Harold McBride, dressed as Uncle Sam, presented the parade’s American flag to keynote speaker Brigadier General Harrison B. Gilliam of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center.

“Welcome to the 100th Veterans Day in Welch, W.Va.,” McBride told the general and the crowd. “For 100 years, we’ve shown them that we love them, we care a lot about them, and we always will.”

Gilliam stood over the crowd with local dignitaries including Mayor Reba Honaker and Jimmy Hampton, commander of the American Legion Post 8 in Welch, after the parade concluded and spoke about the contributions and sacrifices veterans continue to make for their country.

“I want to first recognize some of the hometown heroes,” Gilliam said as he addressed the crowd. “These guys out here in uniform, these are your sons that went off and still wear a uniform in this great state and this nation. Thank you, guys. It’s a great day to be an American, and because of this parade it reminds us all of the sacrifices that men and women make every day.” 

The general reminded them of the sacrifices that are a part of McDowell County.

“I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a bridge that’s named after Staff Sgt. Gene Vance. I served with Gene and Gene was a great soldier, a great friend and a brother. He paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could be here today on this 100th anniversary of this parade,” Gilliam said.

Sgt. Gene Arden Vance, formerly of McDowell County, was killed in action May 19, 2002, in Afghanistan while under enemy fire.

“And I just want everybody to stop and think for 364 days of the men and women who are prepared to do that so we can have these parades and we can stand and relish the flag, and the music, and all of the freedoms that we cherish as Americans; because as bad as people want to make it sound, this is still the greatest nation that has ever lived in the history of mankind,” Gilliam said. “And it’s a great nation because of the men and women who will put on the uniform, that were raised by this community. You are an integral part of how this nation is formed and acts. Because of you, these young men and women have the character, the virtue and the goals that they want to be something and serve something that’s bigger than them. So don’t ever forget that you impact how this nation stands in the face of all things coming and will stand in front of anything that would like to take our freedoms.”

Members of Vance’s family said they come to the Welch parade every year. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he was sent to Afghanistan. He was 38 year old when he was killed in action, Shelia Trent, one of his cousins, said.

Trent’s aunt, Allilee Trent, sat between two displays detailing his life and the sacrifice he made for his country. She urged people to honor and remember veterans like him.

“These soldiers went and gave their lives; sometimes they came back, sometimes they didn’t,” she said. “They go and leave their families. Thank God they go or we wouldn’t have the freedoms that we have today.”

The centennial Veterans Day Parade officially started at 10 a.m. but participants started arriving in Welch hours ahead of time. One marching band disembarking in front of the McDowell Public Library were getting off a Kanawha County Schools bus. Band Director Josh Cole of the West Virginia State Marching Band said it was, to the best of his knowledge, their first appearance in Welch’s parade.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1144 in Iaeger were getting ready to march. VFW member Gene Reeves, a Vietnam veteran, said the parade has honored veterans for 100 years “and more years to come.”

“Really, it’s to celebrate the veterans who are deceased and the future ones,” Reeves said.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Clark of Delta Company 230 in Glen Jean said that he traveled from Fayette County with Specialist Phillip Campbell to join in the parade. The unit was doing color guard duty.

“I think it’s great to honor veterans past and present, and the sacrifices they made so we can do what we do on a daily basis,” Clark said. 

Rita Orey of Welch thanked Reeves and Clark for their service as she walked by them.

“Oh, it’s an honor to support our troops,” Orey said. “My husband is a veteran and my father is too. My brothers, too.”

Next to the First Methodist Church on Virginia Avenue, marchers with the Fall River Elementary School were making last-minute adjustments. Principal Lori Howington helped tape a sign onto a pickup truck while children played nearby. The school’s basketball team, cheerleaders and Twirlers team was going to march. The school participates every year.

“I think it’s important we get involved in our communities,” Howington said.

While the marchers were getting ready, city residents and visitors were finding good spots along the parade route. City employees and their relatives found a high vantage point in the Welch Municipal Parking Building.

“We’re the city of Welch girls,” Phillis Osborne of the water office said.

“We always get up here,” office assistant Pam Akers added. The fact Monday’s parade was the city’s 100th Veterans Day celebration was especially important. “It’s pride in our city, pride in our county, pride in our state and pride in our country.”

“It’s about our veterans,” City Clerk Sarah Perry said.

Awards were presented for the best participants and floats. The Best Antique Car award was presented to a 1979 TransAm owned by Ralph Harrison. The American Legion Trophy for the Best Church Group went to Havaco Church. The Kiwanis received the Commander’s Trophy for Best Civic Group. McBride Electric won the Commander’s Trophy for Best of Parade, and the 2018 Veterans Day Parade Best Band Award was presented to Concord University.

Photos by Kyler and Lesa Wilson of
The Community Crossing​

Happenings

Volunteering at The Greenbrier.jpg
Greenbrier
Volunteering for The Greenbrier Dream Tree for Kids!
Thankful Families
Our eighth annual Thankful Families Dinner served 61 people this year! Each family enjoyed a full Thanksgiving Dinner, a time of fellowship, door prizes, child handprint project, time to contemplate what they are thankful for and then sent home with leftovers! A Christmas family photo was taken and will be given out prior to Christmas as well.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Happenings
thankful fams
Training
The Parents as Teachers staff recently went to a training through the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This training helps equip Home Visitors with resources to help families who are dealing with this type of situation. This training covered “The Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Substance Use."  
DV and SA training.jpg
WWL

Creating

Strong

Families

Creating Strog Families
What does it take to create a strong family? It doesn't just happen, it takes work and families have to be intentional. Some of the strengths were passed down through the generations, and some of the things passed down through the generations are the very things that need to change. All families struggle to create a strong healthy family environment in which their children can grow, learn and thrive. 

Local agencies came together last year and decided to be part of the solution in helping families create a strong and healthy family. Our goal is to equip parents with resources and education to help parents on this journey. The core planning committee involved in this event included Unicare, Aetna, Mountainheart B-3, Tug River Health, Coalfield Cap Head Start, KVC, Children’s Home Society, WIC, and The Community Crossing. We would like to thank Bradshaw Elementary and Principal Tye for allowing us to hold the event at their school. The parent response was very positive with requests for more events like this. We had four breakout session panels with a wealth of practical information.

Bullying, Suicide Prevention, & Child Behavior Concerns Panel Discussion
Andrea Washington on Suicide Prevention, Perry Blankenship and Time Highes on School Mental Health resources, and a United Way representative


Grandparents and Caregivers Parenting Today Panel Discussion
Jackie Payne from Marshall University presented on Adverse Childhood Experiences and  Bonnie representing Maximus 

Resources for Families Affected by Addiction Panel Discussion
Derek Wilson on Addiction within families, Preston Pace with Recovery in McDowell

Adoptive/Foster Parents – Current and Considering Panel Discussion
KVC, Neeco, Children’s Home Society, Presley Ridge, Melissa Craft – parent representative for Adoptive and Foster Care services.

Verse

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. 

‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭12‬

Black Diamond Boxing Challenge

Having one of the best boxing coaching in the state and kids who want to learn is an awesome opportunity. Having the funding to support that opportunity is a challenge. With football season over, Coach Kuhn has fired up the boxing gym. This month we welcomed 25 new boxers in our gym. Unfortunately, running a gym is not cheap. Roughly here is a list of expenses we need to find funding for:

Gym cost: 25 boxers x $10 x 8 months = $2000
USA Boxing members including insurance:

25 x $75 = $1875
USA Boxing Club Membership: $350
Uniforms: $50 x 25 = $1250
Shoes: $80 x 25 = $2000
Equipment: $2000
Misc: Tape, towels, etc. $830
Travel cost: 150 miles x .55 x 6 events = $495


Total: $10,800

Join the 30/30 Club. We need 30 people willing to donate $30 a month for the next 12 months to build a strong life-changing, purposeful boxing program in McDowell County. Would you like to be a 30/30 club member?

If so, please click on the link and let's get to work!

The Community Crossing not only is a faith-based ministry but a faith dependent ministry. We are very fortunate to have the Parents As Teachers grant through WV Department of Health and Human Services, however that does not cover the cost of the supportive ministry. There are many needs that families have that the grant does not cover such as diapers, wipes and even home repairs. Creating a safe environment for their family is important. Black Diamond boxing is starting its third year by hosting a boxing event next month. Black Diamond boxing’s only support comes from The Community Crossing donors. Our gym hosts various sports for members of the community. One of the greatest needs we have in our community is to reach out to those with drug and alcohol addictions, and we are developing an effective ministry to address this need. Would you prayerfully consider giving $30, $50 or $100 per month in support of these ministries?

CREATE CHANGE
IN MCDOWELL
TODAY
!
 

How YOU Can Help
ICYMI

In case you missed it...

Praise the King! He is worthy of all honor and glory. #ccxquotepic #glorytogod

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