KEYSER - Telling everyone present for the 2015 Jonah Edward Kelley Award ceremony Wednesday morning that the program "touched his heart," Congressman David McKinley said the "powerful ceremony is one that could be and should be replicated all across the country."
By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER - Telling everyone present for the 2015 Jonah Edward Kelley Award ceremony Wednesday morning that the program "touched his heart," Congressman David McKinley said the "powerful ceremony is one that could be and should be replicated all across the country."
McKinley, who was the guest speaker for the 70th annual honors program, said of Kelley and the veterans of the 78th Lightning Division, "It moves me every time to think of these men and women and the sacrifices they've made."
Referring to the life story of fallen Keyser High graduate and Medal of Honor recipient Kelley, McKinley draw upon a phrase used by President William McKinley: "Duty determines destiny."
He said Kelley felt it was his duty to serve his country, and that sense of duty led him to his destiny as an American hero who gave his life so that his men might live.
"His story needs told time and time again," he said. "He gave his life so that someone else could come home to America. They came back, they got married, they raised families.
"He helped make America change because he allowed these other people to come back and be all they could be.
"It's people like Ed Kelley who made America great," he said.
McKinley praised those present for "carrying on Kelley's legacy" by holding the award program every year to honor three outstanding young men from the senior class.
"Ed Kelley would have been proud of these three," he said, indicating nominees Reid Boden, Hunter Kasmier and Ryan Streets. "Our community and our nation should also be proud of them."
McKinley, currently in his second term representing District 3 in the U.S. House of Representatives, proudly proclaims he is a "seventh generation West Virginian."
He has twice been recognized by West Virginia Executive Magazine as one of the 50 most influential people in West Virginia.