“When the nation calls, West Virginians answer that call and will defend our freedom at all costs. God Bless the great State of West Virginia and God the United States of America,” Major General Allen E. Tackett proclaimed to the flag waving crowd that ensconced the parade reviewing stand, following Welch’s Veterans Day Parade Tuesday.
As keynote speaker at both the post-parade program and the annual Businessmen and Veterans Luncheon at Mt. View High School later that afternoon, Tackett commended state soldiers for answering duty’s call. “West Virginia has always stood proud when it comes to serving our country,” he said, adding that over 200,000 soldiers from WV have served our nation so that their fellow countrymen “could have such gatherings as this and be free.”
Tackett (pictured center) is shown with American Legion Post 8 Sergeant at Arms and Parade Chairman Frank Cooley, Post 8 Commander Thomas Johnson, McDowell County Assistant Prosecutor, Colonel Ed Kornish, and Legionnaire Ron Wyatt. (Photo by Cathy Patton)