Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner, serves as the keynote speaker during Saturday’s Gold Star Mother Memorial Tree Planting at Canaan Valley State Resort Park. Those gathered planted 55 sugar maple trees, one representing each West Virginia County and five more, each representing each branch of the military. A memorial bench placed near the trees was dedicated during the gathering.
DAVIS – On Saturday, sixty sugar maple trees were planted at Canaan Valley Resort State Park – one for each West Virginia County and one for each branch of the military.
The event was headed by Gold Star Families who have lost a family member in service to the United States. The trees were planted as living memorials to the brave men and women of the U.S. military who made the ultimate sacrifice.
West Virginia Gold Star Mother President Shirley White said aside from planting the trees, those gathered on Saturday helped dedicate a memorial bench near the trees. Funds for the bench were raised through the West Virginia Gold Star Mothers Run for It Team.
During the event, Cadets from the Mountaineer Challenge Academy lent a hand to those in need and the Knights of Columbus Council 2010 served as the Color Guard. Lindsey Hull of TVEMS sang the National Anthem and the opening prayer was led by Gold Star Mother Emma Johnson.
Stephen McDaniel, director of the West Virginia DNR, welcomed all those gathered for the ceremony.
“I want to stress what an honor it is to receive you all at our park,” McDaniel said. “Despite the weather, I cannot think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than recognizing our fallen Veterans who have sacrificed everything so we can sit here today and do this.”
Kent Leonhardt, Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, welcomed those gathered. Leonhardt said he served 14 years of active duty. He said he served in Desert Storm.
“For my family, that war ended. But for those families who have lost loved ones, their war never ended,” Leonhardt said, “The legacy we establish here today is an everlasting memorial that will live on for generations and demonstrate life and possibly nourishment for those who follow. They continue to live through these trees that are planted and each of us will go through that today.”
Leonhardt said through agriculture, people can help with the healing of wounds.
Leonhardt said through agriculture, people can help with the healing of wounds.
“Some of those wounds we cannot readily see,” Leonhardt said. “As long as I am Commissioner, we will continue to grow our Veterans to Agriculture program, partnering with anyone and any group that wants to help.”
Leonhardt said the losses sicken our hearts.
“Through the stability I mentioned earlier, those losses are not in vain,” Leonhardt said. “God bless each and every one of you who came today – the families of the loved ones we have lost. God bless West Virginia and God bless the USA.”
Sponsors for the memorial tree planting include the W.V. Department of Agriculture, Veterans to Agriculture, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, the Knights of Columbus Council 2010, Canaan Valley Institute, the Mill Creek Saw Shop, Canaan Valley Lawn and Landscape, Tucker Community Foundation, the Gold Star Mothers Run for It Team, Captain Joel Hannah Jr., the West Virginia National Guard, Tucker County FFA, April Hannah, Sue and Doran Smith, Q & A Associates, the Canaan Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Sheetz.
