WELCH, W.Va. – American Legion Post 8, Welch, WV, under the leadership of Commander Jan Williams, and the Veterans Day Committee have been working vigorously preparing for the 104th Veterans Day Parade.
The theme for this year’s parade is “Honoring Heroes One and All.”
The parade will be held this Friday, November 11th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in downtown Welch.
Parade Chairman, Jim Spence, has been encouraging all church, civic and school organizations to participate in the upcoming parade. Area bands from the county and surrounding counties will also be participating in the parade.
All participants should be lined up within their division no later than 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning.
Participants Parade division assignment and line up number can be found in a separate article in today’s paper. If you do not see your name or business listed in the lineup, please check with one of our veterans in front of City Hall on Friday morning.
If you are entering a classic/antique car for judging, you are to report to the DMV lot on McDowell Street for judging by 9:30 a.m.
The guest speaker for the 104th 2022 Veterans Day Parade will be Steve Mooney, Director of Operations for the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance. Director Mooney is a native of Huntington and a graduate of Marshall University.
The American Legion Post 8 Welch is much honored to announce that in July 2022, Jan Williams was appointed as our 104th Commander. Commander Williams will be serving as our Commander for the 2022-2023 year.
Recognizing Commander Jan Williams, American Legion Post 8 Welch
The American Legion Post 8 Welch appointed Jan Williams as their 104th Commander in June 2022. Commander Williams will be serving as Commander for the 2022-2023 year.
Commander Williams comes from a very patriotic family taught to honor God and Country.
“My grandfather was an immigrant and a member of the Old Guard,” said Williams about her family legacy. “My father and all his brothers served during World War II. My husband, David Williams, brothers, cousins, nephews, and grandson are military veterans but I am the only female in my family that has served in the military.”
Commander Williams enlisted in the United State Air Force and trained in aspects of the Air Force, specializing in Inventory Management and was stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, SC in the 354th Supply Squadron.
Commander Williams was the first woman assigned to the WRSK (War Readiness Spares Kit) section. The kit contains spare parts for A-10 Aircraft during deployments. She was also assigned to Stock Control as well. Commander Williams served as a member of the Honor Guard and Color Guard teams, also as the only woman on those teams.
“With my husband, I joined the American Legion Post 8 40 years after I first enlisted, which also happened to be the 100th year Anniversary of the American Legion,” said Williams. “I have now been honored to be selected as the first woman Commander of Post 8 Welch.”
Commander Williams and her husband have two sons and ten grandchildren. She has been a resident of McDowell County of 41 years and recently retired from McDowell County Schools as an Administrative Assistant. Commander Williams is an active member of CCRA and the Welch Kiwanis Club.
Steve Mooney Chosen as 2022 Veterans Day Parade Marshal
Steven Mooney is the Director of Operations for the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance.
Mooney, a retired U.S. Army Warrant Officer, oversees 14 Benefits and Claims offices, and a staff of 34, which include regional supervisors, veterans service officers and assistants. His department leads the State’s push to direct U.S. Veterans Affairs benefits and cash to West Virginia veterans. Last year, West Virginia veterans received more than $2.5 billion in assistance.
A native of Huntington and Marshall University alumnus, Mooney enlisted in the West Virginia Army National Guard in 1991. During his 23-year military career, Mooney’s service included operations in Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq. He received numerous awards, including the Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals. His unit awards include the Joint Meritorious and the Meritorious Unit Award. His foreign awards include the Egyptian, British, and United Arab Emirates Parachutist Badges.
Mooney joined the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance in 2017 as a Veteran Service Officer in the Huntington Claims Office. He was promoted in 2019 to Deputy Operation Director and to Operations Director in 2021.
104th Annual Veterans Day Parade Lineup
Reviewing Stand
American Legion Post 8, 104 Annual Veterans Day Parade
Welch, WV, November 11, 2022 10:00 a.m.
VIP
1. City of Welch Chief of Police – Timothy Vineyard
2. McDowell County Sheriff – Sheriff James Muncy, Jr.
3. WV State Police Honor Guard
4. Emergency Units
- Parade Marshal Steve Mooney, Director of Operations for the Department of Veterans Assistance
- 2022 American Legion Post 8 Commander Jan Williams
- 2022 WV American Legion Department Commander Tom Hicks
- Mayor of Welch Harold McBride
- 40 & 8 Chef De Gare Jim Dotson
- American Legion Auxiliary Unit 8 President and 6th District Vice President – Mary Spence; 6th District President Peggy Swartz
2022 Division 1
Virginia Avenue
Methodist Church/Catholic Church
- VFW 1144 Iaeger Military Honor Guard
- VFW 1144 Van
- Pioneer Community Bank Tameka Baker
- Fall River Falcons Cheerleaders – Gwen Lacy (Sponsor) Truck
- Fall River Basketball Team (Sponsor) Truck
6 & 7. Welch Kiwanis Club Float and Cathy Addair, President
8 & 9. Concord University Marching Band with Director David Ball
10 & 11. Mount View High School Cheerleaders, Cathy Jack (Coach) Truck
12 & 13. Mount View Football Team - Mount View High School Homecoming Court: Queen Cherridan Marrs
- Mount View High School Homecoming Court: King Dalton Powell
- 4-H Club, Kayla Boerboom
- Kimball Elementary School Cheerleaders, Emily Hicks
- Kimball Masonic Lodge #13
- Tug River Health Clinic, Sharon Waldron
- T-Mobile
- Mount View Middle School Homecoming Court: Princess Karli Palmer
- Mount View Middle School Homecoming Court: Prince Ky’rece Hughes
- Mount View Middle School Cheerleaders, Coach Sabrina Mullins
2022 Division 2
Welch City Hall/MCNB Mini Bank
Howard Street
- FCI Honor Guard, Gerrard Wade
- Welch Lions Club Float
- River View High School Cheerleaders, Coach Jill Perkins
- Bluefield High School Marching Band Nick Hinkle
- Welch Elementary School Cheerleaders
- Jimmy’s Hardware Float, Jimmy Hampton
- City of Welch Trolley with Council Members
- McBride Float
- #405 Gary Volunteer Fire Department
- Roderfield Volunteer Fire Department, Mike Guella
- Welch Volunteer Fire Department, Mr. Wyatt
If you do not find your organization listed in the lineup, please check in with one of the American Legion men at the line up area in front of the Fire Station and Welch City Hall on Friday morning. All participants should be lined up and in place by 9:30 a.m.