Tag Archive for: ALMBS

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Woody Williams: A True American Hero

Mister Hershel Woody Williams was born on October 2, 1923 in Fairmont, West Virginia. In 1943, Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps in Charleston. He was trained in the Marine Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, and became part of the 32nd Replacement Battalion which was sent to the southwest Pacific. In January 1944, he joined the 3rd Marine Division and later in the year took action against the Japanese at Guam.

In 1945, Williams was shipped to Iwo Jima where he would be recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty. He charged the enemy lines with only a flamethrower and four riflemen backing him up. He led the charge multiple times during the war and was distinguished as a great soldier. He later received a Purple Heart and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Currently he is the only living Congressional Medal of Honor in the state of West Virginia.

Mister Williams now talks to young men and women about his time of service and about patriotism. He has served his country as a great man would and still does to this day. We must thank Mister Williams and remember his message as we too serve our country.

-Jacob Wilkinson

 

 

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What is the American Legion?

The American legion, formed in 1919, is an organization for honorably discharged veterans. In the American Legion, they focus on giving back to their communities. They have many programs that focus on helping children and families of veterans. These programs include, but do not exclude, Boys State, Junior Shooting Sports, and many more. Along with programs, the American legion rewards honorable citizen with awards like the Eagle Scout of the Year Award.  The American Legion also offers scholarships to honorable students.

Trey Westerfeld

 

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The American Legion’s Oratorical Contest

Every year, the American Legion holds the Oratorical Contest. The Oratorical Contest is a contest in which students give memorized speeches about the Constitution. These students are then given the opportunity to advance to regionals, states and finally nationals, all based on their speech and interpretation of a random amendment selected by judges. In final the students who place in the top three of the nation win $18,000(1st), $16,000(2nd), or $14,000(3rd). Even if the individual student does not go to finals, they are still given the opportunity to win money. This is a great chance to earn money for college or spending.

 

Trey Westerfeld

 

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Stormy Nights

As everyone knows, there was a storm Wednesday night with rather strong winds and rainfall. These winds resulted in a large tree near Panhandle becoming damaged and falling into the street, so the staff issued that the tree be cut down. This action took place after breakfast.

The workers proceeded to remove the limbs before cutting a section of the tree until only five feet of the tree remained. They then used the bucket of a tractor to ram into the top until it toppled over leaving a stump and taking care of the problem the damaged tree had presented.

Garrett Willis

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Murder at Boys State

On Wednesday, at approximately 4:20, troopers responded to a report in Lewis County that there were shots fired. Upon arrival, the victim was discovered to be dead due to gunshot wounds. The police located one suspect who was later taken into custody. It appears that the initial altercation started at the Red Apple Tavern. The investigation is ongoing.

 

Jacob Wilkinsin

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Medal of Honor

Thank you Nicholas O’Donnell for understanding what the Medal of Honor is all about.  The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. It is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress.

On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced S. No. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor.”  On December 21st, the bill was passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced “which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, land men, and maries as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war (Civil War).”   Medal of Honor was born.

Two months later, on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill, this one to authorize “the president to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle.”  Over the following months, working changed slightly as the bill made its way through Congress.  When President Abraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No. 82 on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was born.  It read in part:  Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause  two hundred thousand “medals of honor to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, and to direct that the same be presented, in the name of the Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier – like qualities, during the present insurrection (Civil War).”

With this simple and rather obscure act, Congress created a unique award that would achieve prominence in American history like few others.

For more information, go to www.cmohs.org/medal-history.php.

–Sonja Adkins

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Hershel Woodrow Williams Citation:

Rank and organization:  Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division.  Place and date:  Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945.  Entered service at:  West Virginia.  Born:  2 October 1923, Quiet Dell, W.Va.

 

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21 Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945.  Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machinegun fire from the unyielding position.  Covered only by 4 riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out 1 position after another.  On 1 occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.  His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams’ aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

 

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ALMBS General Election Results

ALMBS General Election Results

Federalists

 

Nationalists
 

Governor

 Eric T.R. Finch
 

Secretary of State

 Akshay Chandran
James “Jim” Park

Auditor

  
“Swag Man” Dan Truong

Treasurer

  
 

Commissioner of Agriculture

 Dylan Frazier
 

Attorney General

 Zach “Attack” Abbott
Aniket Zinzuwadia

Justice of the Supreme Court

 Brook “Tripod” Misailidis
Matthew “Tripod” Zlatkind Gearick M. “Tripod” Watt
Yashan Thakkar  
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ALMBS State Primary Results

State Primary Election Results
Federalists

 

 Nationalists
Ankur Kumar

Governor

 Eric T.R. Finch
Alex Reiser

Secretary of State

 Akshay Chandran
James “Jim” Park

Auditor

 Kodey Jones
“Swag Man” Dan Truong

Treasurer

 Tre’ Staples
Joseph Oliverio

Commissioner of Agriculture

 Dylan Frazier
Kennedy Roberts

Attorney General

 Zach “Attack” Abbott
Aniket Zinzuwadia

Justice of the Supreme Court

 Brook “Tripod” Misailidis
Matthew “Tripod” Zlatkind Sam Oxley
Raymond “Batman” Rector Jacob Smith
Remington Knight Gearick M. “Tripod” Watt
Yashan Thakkar Joshua Hill

 

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76th ALMBS Recruitment Begins

Help us recruit the next graduating class from American Legion Mountaineer Boys State. Information on the 76th program has been sent out to all WV high schools and American Legion Posts. Tell your friends about your experience and encourage them to attend. This year the program will be held June 9-15. And remember you are always welcome back to campus for the Formal Review and evening assembly on Wednesday at 6:00pm. It’s a great time for a reunion with your fellow citizens.

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