A flag-raising Fourth of July draws governor, celebrants

by Lisa Schauer

The Town of Bath hosted a flag-raising ceremony at the Morgan County Courthouse on America’s Independence Day last Saturday, July 4, commemorating the 250^th birthday of the nation and the town.

Mayor Greg Schene welcomed West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who spoke to the crowd of around 100 people gathered on the courthouse steps at 9 a.m. in the midst of a severe heat wave.

The Tri-state Honor Guard from Alderton-Dawson American Legion Post 60 presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution wore colonial garb and posed for pictures.

“This is a historic town. It is an important part of the state, and deserves to celebrate America 250,” said Morrisey in an interview with The Morgan Messenger.

Morrisey said he came to Berkeley Springs to re-affirm the meaning of the words in America’s Declaration of Independence.

Local musician Ross Martin performed John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” noting it has become the unofficial anthem of the U.S. men’s national team at the World Cup soccer series this summer following its national popularity when West Virginia University’s baseball team made it to the college finals.

Bath hosted a reading of the Declaration of Independence later on Saturday in the Berkeley Springs State Park.

Governor Morrissey made the local stop as he flew around the state on Saturday, landing finally in Charleston for the state’s official 250^th celebration.