State Senate Majority Leader H. Truman Chafin was the man of the hour July 10th as hundreds of well wishers and friends from McDowell, Mingo and Mercer Counties gathered on Main Street in War to celebrate Chafin’s life and accomplishments. “I ‘m proud and humbled to be here. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than right here in War celebrating my birthday,” Chafin said.  McDowell County has given so much to West Virginia, but has received so little, Chafin added, noting that he always thinks of the blood, sweat and tears of McDowell County miners when he stands on the Senate floor. Sen. Chafin said he plans to reintroduce the bill that would return five percent of the coal severance taxes to McDowell County during the 2009 legislative session.

Pictured with Sen. Chafin (third from left) are Jessica Harman, County Commission President Gordon Lambert, Harold McBride, Bramwell Mayor Lou Stoker and War Mayor Tom Hatcher. (Photo by Cathy Patton