County Celebrates Veterans Day; Honors Fallen Officer

Braxton County celebrated Veterans Day 2022 with a parade, appreciations luncheon and the dedication of a memorial to a fallen native son
The Veterans Day Parade and luncheon was, hosted by Central West Virginia Aging Service, Inc., and American Legion Post #33.
The celebration began with a parade through Gassaway. Ray Strader was the Parade Marshal. Numerous organizations came out to march in the parade and ride on floats honoring local veterans.
After the parade, the celebration moved to the National Guard Armory for a reception. Evelyn
Post, coordinator of the event and Executive Director of Central WV Aging Service welcomed the large audience before Russell Shaw provided the invocation.
The American Legion Post #33 posted the colors and led those in attendance to the Pledge.
Barbara Riffle followed with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
Ben Strader, member of the Sons of Legion and Ray Strader’s grandson, presented the recognition of the POA/MIA table.
Delegate Brent Boggs briefly spoke to the crowd. He asked that “we thank our Veterans, not just today, but every day.”
Post then recognized Parade Marshal Ray Strader of Burnsville.
Guest speaker for the Veterans Day reception was Sergeant First Class Chris Shortall. He is a native of Braxton County and a graduate of the Braxton County High School. During his speech, he thanked those who served and who are currently serving, for all of the sacrifices they have made.
Following the speaker, Russell Shaw provided the meal blessing before local Boy Scouts and Girls Scout members served lunch to those in attendance.
Country Girls Catering again provided the wonderful meal.
After lunch, Post returned to the podium to announce the parade winners in various categories and door prizes.
The American Legion Post #33 retired the colors to end the reception.
In addition to Central WV Aging Services, others who helped make the event possible were Delegate Brent Boggs, Braxton County Commissioner Lisa Mace Godwin, American Legion Post #33, Country Girl Catering, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, C.A.R.E., Inc., Little Caesars Pizza-Terry Perkins, and all of the volunteers.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered on the Braxton County Courthouse lawn, Veterans Day afternoon, to memorialize a native son who lost his life in the line of duty. Wesley C. Frame Jr. was killed November 10, 1978 while stationed in Monroe County. Officers Frame was shot and killed near Rich Creek in Peterstown while supervising a prisoner cleaning a stream.
The ceremony to dedicate a monument in member of the fallen DRN Police Officer began with Sgt. Timothy White welcoming those in attendance. He gave a brief history of Officer Frame and his tragic death. Sgt. White welcomed several colleagues to the podium to speak about their experience with the local hero.
Retired Captain Larry Case spoke about Wesley Frame being his training officer and the lasting effect the experience had on his career.
Colonel Bobby Cales, head of the DRN Police, spoke about the importance of Frame’s death to the State agency and how pleased he was to be a part of the memorialization. Col. Cale assisted by Cpt. Doug Benson and Lt. Colonel David Trader presented the Posthumous Medal of Valor, DNR’s highest award to Wesley Frame III in his father’s memory.
The programs concluded with the fallen officer’s granddaughters unveiling the monument which will serve as a lasting memorial to the Wesley C. Frame, Jr.