CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin called West Virginia a truly special place as part of his address that kicked off the state’s 150th birthday celebration at the capitol.
“There is no place like West Virginia,” Tomblin said. “There is no place else with a spirit like ours. No place more faithful to the values that have made America great. No place with a greater devotion to the place we call home.”
Tomblin’s remarks followed a bell ringing and the unveiling of the special birthday stamp now on sale by the U.S. Postal Service.
The state capitol will be busy with activity through Saturday and the governor urged residents from across the state to attend.
“What we’re celebrating is not just another date on the calendar. It’s not just a piece of history. We’re celebrating a place we all love.”
A sun-splashed crowd outside Independence Hall watched the re-enactment of what happened in Wheeling 150 years ago. There were union soldiers, cannons and the speech given by the state’s first Gov. Arthur Boreman.
Other cities and towns across the Mountain State have their own events scheduled to mark the state’s sesquicentennial.