G-Comm™: A West Virginia Day Message from Senator Jay Rockefeller
Years ago, when I was just beginning my first term as Governor, we had a problem.
Southern West Virginia was hit with heavy rains, and flooding inundated towns across the region, and devastated homes and communities.
Then, the most curious thing happened. We set up relief sites in damaged areas, but despite the fact that hundreds of people had been forced to flee their homes, few people showed up at the relief sites the next day.
I soon learned what was going on. The people in these communities didn’t wait for emergency relief sites to spring up. If there was a widow who needed food right away, her neighbor baked a casserole to share. If a family’s basement was flooded, a group of folks from their church showed up and cleaned it with them. Those communities couldn’t take care of every need that resulted in the storm devastation, but they were willing to do everything they could for each other.
America is unique in the world in that we give so much to each other. And in West Virginia we are especially good at giving. That’s one of the many reasons I love West Virginians. We are united. We share each others’ sorrows and celebrate each others’ joy. That Mountaineer spirit binds all of us together.
Today, on West Virginia Day, we all have a perfect opportunity to honor that spirit by working together to make our state better, just as those communities in southern West Virginia did all those years ago.
Whether it’s joining together to plant a community garden, making sure our local food pantries are stocked, or simply stopping by a senior’s house to see how they are doing, let’s do what West Virginians do best: take care of each other.
Indeed, Mountaineers are always united.
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.