Tag Archive for: Boys State

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2020 American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Session Cancelled

Friends of The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State,

It is with a heavy heart, we write to inform you that The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State has been cancelled for 2020. This decision has been the hardest decision to make during one of the hardest times of our lives. Please know this decision was made after thorough deliberation with our program’s senior leadership and based on the current national and state-wide effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State, The American Legion Boys Nation, The American Legion National Oratorical Finals, and Junior Shooting Sports Competitions have also been cancelled for 2020. West Virginia becomes the 21st state to cancel Boys State this year.

Since 1936, The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State has been West Virginia’s Premier Leadership Academy, and this is officially the 3rd time in her history that the program has been cancelled. It hasn’t been since the food rationing of WWII that she has stepped aside for the safety of West Virginia’s youth. This would have been the 83rd American Legion Mountaineer Boys State.

The health, safety and security of our citizens, staff and many volunteers remain our primary consideration. Throughout West Virginia, educators are working diligently to continue to engage students through unplanned and unprecedented distance learning opportunities, it seemed unfair to ask them to continue with the nomination and selection process. American Legion Posts are closed, recruitment and fund-raising activities are also suspended. Many of our sponsors throughout the state are also closed or are out of work due to being under our state’s stay-at-home order. We appreciate all our volunteers, alumni, veterans and sponsors and encourage you to continue to remain safe and follow the guidance of your local health officials.

ALMBS would like to encourage all completed 2020 applications to be immediately transmitted to The American Legion Department of West Virginia without application fees. Our program would like to provide official notification to those who have already enrolled and were planning their attendance. ALMBS will be refunding posts and sponsors for any payments already received and deposited.

Many questions remain and we will get details out as they become available. We would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to all of the school personnel, American Legion comrades, sponsors and our American Legion Mountaineer Boys State staff and family for all of their efforts put forth towards the 2020 program. ALMBS is truly blessed with your support and we look forward to working with you as we immediately begin planning for the 2021 session.

If you have immediate questions that need to be answered, please contact us via email at almbs@wvboysstate.org. The American Legion Department of West Virginia Headquarters is currently closed to the public and operating remotely with limited resources at this time. We will respond as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Jim Davis, Director

Robbie Robinson, Assistant Director

ALMBS Cancellation Memorandum

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Senator Manchin Keynotes ALMBS Graduation Assembly

Senator Manchin has served in several leadership capacities on various associations, including: Chairman of the National Governors Association, Chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, President of the Council of State Governments, Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Association.

Senator Manchin served as Secretary of State from 2000 to 2004, and his office was known for excellent customer service. He was a state legislator from 1982 to 1996, where he earned a reputation for standing up for West Virginians.

Senator Manchin became a successful businessman after attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship.

Senator Manchin is an avid pilot, outdoorsman, hunter, angler and motorcyclist. He has been married for more than four decades to the former Gayle Conelly of Beckley. They have three children: Heather, Joseph IV and Brooke, and are the proud grandparents of Joseph V, Sophie, Kelsey, Madeline, Chloe, Jack, Carly, Vivian, Beaux and Knox.

For more information: https://www.manchin.senate.gov/

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US Representative Carol Miller Addresses ALMBS

Congresswoman Carol Miller represents West Virginia’s Third Congressional District. Miller serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Oversight and Reform Committee, and the

House Select Committee on Climate Crisis in the U.S. House of Representatives. Miller’s focus in Congress is creating jobs, diversifying the economy, innovating and improving infrastructure, protecting America’s borders, and supporting West Virginia’s energy industries like coal, oil, and gas.

Prior to her election to Congress in 2018, Congresswoman Miller served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2017 where she rose to become the first female Majority Whip. In addition to her public service, Carol is active in her community and is a former member of the Women’s Heart Advisory Board, St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute, Marshall University Society of Yeager Scholars, West Virginia Commission for the Arts, and Lily’s Place, as well as many other organizations.

A mother of two and grandmother of five, Carol Miller is married to her husband Matt, and lives in Huntington, where she owns and operates Swann Ridge Bison Farm and manages real estate. Miller was born in Columbus, Ohio and is the daughter of Congressman Samuel L. Devine and Betty Devine.

More information available: https://miller.house.gov/

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ALMBS Citizens Participate in College Fair

We would like to thank the following schools for taking time to meet with our Citizens for the College and Career Fair:
WVU School of Med.
US Military Academy at West Point
Fairmont State University
US Naval Academy
WVU Honors College
WVU ROTC
WV National Guard
Marshall University
Concord University
Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University
WVU Potomac State College
Waynesburg University
WVU Institute of Technology
Professional & Undergraduate Programs – WVU School of Medicine
WVU Reed College of Media
Bethany College
Thasher Engineering
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Fairmont State University – College of Liberal Arts
West Virginia University – Undergraduate Admissions
Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets and Army ROTC
United States Army
WVU School of Pharmacy
Shawnee State University
Alderson Broaddus University
Bridgewater College
West Liberty State University
US Senator Joe Manchin’s Office – US Military Academy Nomination Process
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2019 ALMBS Governor Carson Winkie delivers State of the State Address

2019 ALMBS Governor Carson Winkie delivers State of State Address at the West Virginia State Capital, in the House Chambers.

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FSU’s Dr. Mirta Martin Speaks to ALMBS

MISSION STATEMENT:

Fairmont State University is a comprehensive, regional university committed to educating global citizen leaders in an environment distinguished by a commitment to excellence, student success and transformational impact.

VISION STATEMENT:

Fairmont State University will be renowned for its innovative pedagogical practices and programs and as the first-choice institution for students seeking a transformative educational experience.

For more information: https://www.fairmontstate.edu/aboutfsu/presidents-office

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Senator Capito Addresses ALMBS

Shelley Moore Capito was elected by the people of West Virginia to the United States Senate in 2014. She is the first female U.S. Senator in West Virginia’s history and was elected with the largest margin of victory for a Republican in state history – winning more than 62 percent of the vote and all 55 counties.

After serving West Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years, and as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years prior, Shelley decided to run for Senate to be an even stronger voice for the Mountain State. She also saw an opportunity to restore order to a Senate stuck in gridlock for far too long.

Shelley believes that today’s challenges demand bipartisan solutions and cooperation across the aisle to advance legislation that benefits West Virginia and the country as a whole.

Shelley serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee; the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee; and the Rules and Administration Committee. This committee portfolio puts her in a strong position to create new opportunities in the Mountain State and fight for West Virginia coal, jobs, and families.

On the Appropriations Committee, Shelley brings West Virginia’s voice to the table when our nation’s spending priorities are determined. She serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee.

On the EPW Committee, Shelley advocates for policies that protect vital West Virginia energy and manufacturing jobs and encourage investment in West Virginia’s infrastructure. She serves as Chairman of the EPW Committee’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.

On the Commerce Committee, Shelley promotes rural broadband expansion to better serve states like West Virginia.

bio 2Shelley is committed to being accessible and responsive to the people of the Mountain State. She regularly travels the state to hear from and meet with West Virginians.

A lifelong West Virginian, Shelley was born in Glen Dale in the Northern Panhandle. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from Duke University and a M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. Shelley and her husband Charles L. Capito Jr. reside in Charleston. They have three adult children: two sons, Charles (wife Laura) and Moore (wife Katie), and one daughter, Shelley (husband Colin Macleod). They have also been blessed with six grandchildren: Celia, Charlie, Eliza, Rose, Arch, and Macaulay.

For more information: https://www.capito.senate.gov/

Four Chaplains Ceremony

Four Chaplains

Four Chaplains

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WV Commissioner of Agriculture Speaks to ALMBS

Kent Leonhardt is a lifetime farmer. His wife and Kent restored a farm that was abandoned for over 40 years and made it once again a viable functioning farm. Their farm is located in the western end of Monongalia County near Fairview, West Virginia. They purchased their first 205 acres of West Virginia farmland in 1982, while he was still on military active duty. They began developing and cultivating the farm in 1997, following his retirement from the Marine Corps. Today, they have 380 contiguous acres and two farm leases for hay production and additional grazing. They raise sheep, cattle and goats and sell hay when there is a surplus available.

Mr. Leonhardt is a Marine. He served for 20 years and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps, he coordinated operations between all four branches of our military, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. During that time he served on Joint Staffs leading men and women in war and peace. He received personal decorations during his service including: Legion of Merit, Combat Action Ribbon, 8 other personal decorations.

As well as serving in the Marines for 20 years, he was elected in 2014 to the West Virginia State Senate serving the people of the 2nd Senatorial District. The 2nd Senatorial District is one of the largest and most rural in West Virginia containing parts of or all of the following counties: Marshall, Wetzel, Gilmer, Marion, Monongalia, Tyler, Doddridge, Calhoun, and Ritchie. As a State Senator, he fought to create a business friendly environment to foster economic growth. He is currently serving as the Agriculture Commissioner for West Virginia.

Lastly, he received a formal education in the Science of Agriculture, earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Missouri. In addition, he took a variety of courses covering issues pertinent to the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection. His undergraduate education had a concentration on both wildlife and agriculture and included courses in the following disciplines: Livestock and Meat Science, Soil Sciences, Plant Taxonomy, Entomology, Ichthyology or fisheries, Agricultural Economics, Biology and Chemistry.

For more information: https://agriculture.wv.gov

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Brigadier General Christopher Walker Addresses ALMBS

Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker is the Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the West Virginia Air National Guard. The West Virginia Air National Guard has over 2,100 members and consists of two flying units, the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston, West Virginia, and the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, West Virginia. As the Assistant Adjutant General and Commander he provides command and control, over all Air National Guard forces assigned to the state and is the principal advisor to the Adjutant General, on all matters related to the Air National Guard.

General Walker’s current federal dual assignment is Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, providing oversight and input concerning laws, regulations and policy of the Human Capital portfolio to ensure mission success. In this role, General Walker assists in areas of diversity, force development, force management, total force and Airman and Family Readiness.

Born in New York City, NY, General Walker began his Air Force career 1988 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. After Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather AFB in 1989, he served as a C-130 navigator in weather reconnaissance and tactical airlift squadrons throughout the world, including an assignment as an airdrop planner in the Balkans CAOC in Vicenza, Italy and flying in various contingencies including Operations Provide Promise, Provide Comfort, and Provide Relief.

In 1997, General Walker left active duty to join the Air National Guard (ANG) and serve as a C-130H3 evaluator navigator, and has commanded at the squadron and group level. He served in various operations and contingencies such at OEF, OIF, Joint Guard/Joint Forge, and Volant Oak/Coronet Oak. He has served as a special assistant to the DIRMOBFOR at the 609th CAOC at Al Udied AB, Qatar, and also he served as civil aviation advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation with the Coalition Provisional Authority. He has served as the ANG Crisis Action Team Director, Acting Air Mobility Division Chief at the 609th CAOC, and ANG Deputy Director of Air, Space, and Information Operations.

General Walker is a Master Navigator with over 5200 hours in WC-130 and C-130E/H/H3 aircraft, including over 400 combat and combat support hours.

For more information: https://www.nationalguard.mil/portals/31/Features/ngbgomo/bio/3/3415.html

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