NITRO, W.Va. — Nitro celebrates its heritage as a “Living Museum of World War I” so it makes sense the town would be a center piece of Veterans Day activities. Veterans Day surrounds the day the Armistice was signed which ended World War I.
“Nitro actually got word on November 7th from the military command to stop all construction in Nitro because the war was coming to an end,” explained Mayor Dave Casebolt. “Over 10,000 people got on a train and began coming to Charleston to celebrate the end of the war. Nitro was already celebrating the end of the war before the Armistice was signed.”
The city has a full weekend celebration. Saturday will be marked with a chili cook off, craft beer festival, and dog show. The event will culminate with an event Saturday evening honoring veterans at a flag lowering ceremony. Air Force Colonel Johnny Ryan, commander of the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing will be the keynote speaker.
The events will culminate with a flag raising ceremony on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m.
“We are honored to kickoff the festivities,” Casebolt explained. “Nitro is the perfect place to kickoff anything to do with veterans. Our history shows we started in war time and Nitro is very proud of our veterans.”