KINGWOOD — The rain fell heavily Wednesday as a hardy crowd gathered outside the Preston County Courthouse to honor America’s veterans.
“They’ve see a lot worse than this,” County Commissioner Dave Price said, looking out at the attendees, some in uniform.
The ceremony included the ringing of the 150-year-old courthouse bell by veteran and Preston County Commissioner Don Smith, firing of a 21-gun salute by the Preston County Honor Guard, playing of Taps by the honor guard and comments by several people.
Pastor Barry Adkins, a veteran, opened with a prayer. Lori Radabaugh Rankin sang the national anthem.
Preston County Prosecuting attorney Melvin C. Snyder spoke in honor of his late father and grandfather, both former prosecutors, both veterans.
Melvin C. Snyder served in both world wars, dispatched from his duties as prosecutor during the Second World War to the Aleutians in Alaska, where he fought the Japanese. Melvin C. Snyder Jr. graduated from West Point and served in Vietnam. Both were honored with medals, neither talked much about their service, he said.
“I think everybody here either had a relative or knows somebody who is serving,” Price said. “But we all live in the United States of America, so we all benefit” from their service.
Commission President Samantha Stone donated a market hog purchased at the Preston County Youth Livestock Sale to the honor guard, which chanced it off. The names of the two winners were drawn at the ceremony.
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