We salute:
-- The many area businesses who participated in the "Take Your Child to Work Day," providing our youth with a wonderful educational experience.
-- The 35 veterans who received their high school diplomas during last Friday's Operation Recognition ceremony at Robert C. Byrd. They were: (World War II veterans) James R. Curry, Charles E. Dixon, Kenneth Harold Dofflemyer, Tony P. Guzzi, John Edward Hostutler, Robert Junior Knapp, Forest W. Matthey, Arthur P. Moran, Cecil J. Moyer, Reno Navarini, John William Post, Beecher J. Rhoades and Sam S. Spatafore; (Korean War veterans) Clifford Ray Cain, Robert E. Cummings Sr., Harold Eugene Freeman, Kenneth R. Hurst, Gerald David McDonald, Donnie L. Shaw, Kenneth Talkington Jr., Ronald D. Talkington and Boyd Whipkey, and (Vietnam War veterans) Larry Maynard Brady, Dale V. Collins, Homer W. Dye, Terry Lee Goff, William H. Harrouff, Ronald Allen Mayfield, Robert L. Messenger Jr., Kenneth Russell Metzgar Jr., Edward Lee Netzer, Charles Edward Scott, Joseph L. Singleton Jr., James Hadden Sprouse and Harold Wilson.
-- The many area bands that showcased their talents during the annual Region 10 Band Festival. The event gives students an opportunity to tackle challenging music and perform for an evaluation -- a great learning experience. Also a salute to the many band directors and organizers of the event.
-- Nicholas Hollis, Pat Griffith and other members of the Jennings Randolph Recognition Project, who are working to memorialize the important contributions of the longtime U.S. senator.
-- Robert C. Byrd junior Chris Hagedorn, who won the U.S. Short Course Nationals 50 freestyle competition recently in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
-- The Friends of Fort Liberte, a local nonprofit group dedicated to making life better for that area of Haiti. The group raises money and visits several times during the year to provide health care and assistance with building projects.
-- Gary Bowden, general manager of WBOY-TV, for being honored for his distinguished service by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association.
-- Harrison County Judges John Lewis Marks, Thomas Bedell and James Matish for their involvement with innovative programs designed to teach school-age children and teen-agers about the court system in a positive way.
-- The various people working to convert old Broaddus Hospital into a Grand Central Business Center, including the Broaddus Hospital board, the Philippi Board of Trade and developer Kris Warner. The project could bring 500 much-needed jobs to the Barbour County area.
