By Rachel Isabell
HD Media
WEBSTER SPRINGS — Community members gathered inside city hall on Nov. 28 for a candlelight vigil honoring Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, the 20-year-old Webster County native who died while serving with the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C.
The room filled quickly as residents, veterans, civic leaders, friends and classmates came together to grieve the loss of a young woman many described as compassionate, steady, and fiercely protective of the people she loved.
As people entered City Hall, a sign board was set up at the door for attendees to sign, with blue ribbons available to take and wear in support of Beckstrom’s family. A local high school student sat beside the table making additional ribbons as more people arrived.
After signing in and taking their seats, everyone was asked to step forward and form a circle near the front of the room where the displays of Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who remains hospitalized, were arranged beside the podium.
At the end of the vigil, candles were passed out and lit. The soft glow settled over the circle as the community shared a final moment of silence.
Speakers included State Sens. Robbie Morris and Bill Hamilton, representatives from the Governor’s Office, and local religious leaders.
Morris told those gathered that tragedies like this “never come at a good time,” noting how the holiday season tends to make loss feel harder. He called Beckstrom “an outstanding person” and said the state stands firmly behind the Beckstrom and Wolfe families.
“West Virginia has always answered the call,” he said, noting that Beckstrom graduated high school just two years ago before choosing to serve her country. “Leader, kind, compassionate — those are the words used to describe Sarah.”
Hamilton read John 15:13, saying, “This verse is a reminder that laying down one’s life for others is the greatest act of love, and Sarah has done just that.”
Justin Arvon, speaking on behalf of Gov. Patrick Morrisey, read a prepared statement calling Beckstrom a “proud West Virginian” and announcing that flags had been lowered to half-staff earlier in the day. The statement described her dedication to her fellow Guardsmen and her willingness to put the safety of others before her own.
After a prayer from local mission leader Jimmy Utt, the room held a moment of silence. Candles flickered as heads bowed, many wiping tears as they held their lights close. The crowd joined in a couple of verses of “Amazing Grace,” followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
“She wanted all the best for Nicole,” Cowger said. “She wanted to make sure she was doing the right things and being around good people. Just like a normal big sister, but Sarah meant it. She was vigilant.”
Cowger added that Beckstrom did not hesitate to speak up if she thought someone was being mistreated or if something felt wrong. “She watched out for others. Sarah was exactly the kind of soldier you would want to protect you — strong, vigilant and determined. The world will be a little less bright without her.”
Jamie Cox, PA for Task Force Mountaineer, who worked with Beckstrom in D.C., said Beckstrom had been scheduled to have the day off in Washington but switched shifts so another guard member could spend Thanksgiving with their family.
“She was wonderful, compassionate, solid,” Cox said. “Very dedicated. I took care of all the West Virginia soldiers, and she was one of my babies.” Her decision to step in that day, Cox said, was the kind of person she was, someone who put others first without hesitation.
Local retired National Guard member Kathryn Buwalda said the loss is felt across generations of service members.
“Even if you don’t know them, we’re still all brothers and sisters,” she said. “There’s a connection that is hard to explain to people who have never served. It’s a shame she had her life cut short in its prime. She never got to go to college, get married, have kids.”
Webster County Commissioner Jim Cutlip said the community has been overwhelmed by both local and national support. “The turnout shows how much she meant to people,” he said.
A representative from Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs confirmed they had been contacted by the family and will handle the arrangements. No service date has been set.
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