Monday is a day dedicated to the men and women who have served West Virginia and the United States. Memorial Day is being marked in a number of ways across the state.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin is asking state residents to unite in a prayer for permanent peace at 11 a.m. with the National Moment of Remembrance set to come at 3 p.m.
“On this Memorial Day, I encourage all West Virginians to recall those brave men and women of the armed forces who have risked and given their lives to keep us safe,” the Governor said.
In Taylor County, the 146th Annual West Virginia Memorial Day Parade in Grafton will step off at 10 a.m. Monday followed by the 146th Annual Grafton National Cemetery Program.
Similar events are being held in other areas.
Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito says Memorial Day is an important holiday.
“This is something that goes through every generation of Americans and we’re unique in our ability to volunteer, to step up to the plate, to protect the freedoms,” she said.
“I think (the message) is just ‘thank you’ to everybody.”
Her father, former West Virginia Governor Arch Moore, received the Purple Heart for his service with the U.S. Army during World War II. He is one of the state’s thousands of veterans.
Flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff through 12 p.m. Monday in observance of Memorial Day.