President Donald Trump recently launched the campaign “America Works Together,” which highlights the efforts of everyday Americans working together during the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, we have many heroes right here in West Virginia and I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank them.
Our first line of defense are our first responders and healthcare professionals, risking their own health every day to keep our communities and our loved ones safe. These men and women, suited in personal protective equipment, are treating patients with coronavirus and other everyday emergencies. We salute our brave first responders who are here for us in this time of need.
Our West Virginia National Guardsmen have completed hundreds of missions to help our communities and are truly indispensable. West Virginia is proud to have one of the highest per capita populations of former servicemen and women in the nation. At the Martinsburg VA Medical Center they are helping veterans to combat the coronavirus through training, rapid response testing and drive through testing.
Eastern Panhandle volunteer organizations are uniting to provide meals and other essential items to students and first responders. Frontline Foods WV is delivering meals each day to hospitals, EMS, while also supporting local restaurants in Shepherdstown, Charles Town and Martinsburg. Organizations are also stepping up to provide food for our children. The Berkeley County Feeding Program is helping distribute to meals to students.
Companies and small businesses have expanded their existing capabilities in creative ways to assist communities in need. In Shepherdstown, Wild Rose Soap Co. has made hundreds of hand sanitizer bottles for distribution to fire departments, hospitals and police stations.
While church services are closed, our faith-based organizations and churches are still providing aid to West Virginians in need. On Easter Sunday this year, many of us were unable to be with our loved ones, but some churches streamed online sermons or held other creative forms of worship, such as drive-in-theater-style services.
We will forever remember the commitment of these heroes and all those impacted by the coronavirus, and I thank each and every one of you who are helping. Our country will be back, our economy will be back and we will get through this together.