By Greg Jordan and Tara Wyatt, CNHI West Virginia
BECKLEY — Frigid temperatures failed Tuesday to keep parades across the region from going ahead and honoring the service and many sacrifices the nation’s veterans have made for their country.
People wanting to honor local veterans bundled up and brought blankets to ward off chilly winds as Veterans Day parades came through city streets. Local veterans organizations, civic clubs and businesses offered hot chocolate and coffee as dignitaries, military units, school groups, veterans organizations, fire departments, law enforcement and other units marched to honor the nation’s veterans.
Outside the Raleigh County Courthouse, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution Captain James Allen Chapter fought windy weather to set up a table with coffee, hot chocolate and snack cakes for parade watchers.
“Did somebody forget to pay the heat bill?” chapter member Amy Choate of Beckley as she walked up to the table. Honoring veterans was more important than staying out of the cold. “We are here to support our veterans and I am a veteran. Army Reserves.”
A member of the Sons of the American Revolution John Beckley Chapter, Matthew Hill of Daniels, worked to get a tablecloth taped down. He recalled how General George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River one cold winter night.
“If he can do it, so can we,” Hill said.
Image: By Greg Jordan, CNHI West Virginia