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On July 4, 2026, one week before turning 103, Mrs. Lorraine Moran of Elkins was honored to represent Rosie the Riveters of Randolph County as Grand Marshall of the Elkins Independence Day Parade. Just prior to the event, Mayor Jerry Marco presented her with a special commerative coin celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country.
On July 10, Moran celebrated her 103rd birthday with a small luncheon at Henry’s at Graceland Inn on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. This year’s red, white and blue birthday theme was “Celebrating Lorraine, a Great American Life, 1923-2026 AND America’s 250th Anniversary, 1776-2026.”
Besides being a beautiful site for her special occasion, the Graceland Inn holds special significance for Moran. In 1943 American soldiers were in Elkins for military training and many were housed at Graceland, but were fed next door in Halliehurst Hall. Moran was one of those who helped feed the soldiers at Halliehurst Hall. A good army is a well-fed army!
Those who celebrated with Moran this July at Henry’s at Graceland Inn or who sent good wishes, cards, or flowers were Carole and Tim Surgent of N.J.; Nancy Gatewood of Va.; Karan and Peter Larlee and sons Sam and Jack; Cathi and PJ Champino and children Max and Gabby, all of Fla.; Jim and Biba Collins, Vera and Bob Hammond, John, Jennifer, Noah, and Lyla Hammond, Kathleen Hammond, Anita Ketchum, Susan and Kees Hawkins, and Kathy Jeffreys, all of N.C.; Tori Hall and Daniel Kaiser of Ky.; Dottie and Bill Jilek, Bob and Joan Cummons, and grandson Andrew Allsop; Lexi and Kagan Schafer, Cindy Kuhl, Confesor Badillo, Anna Porcher, Greta and Kenna Kuhl, all of Ohio; Vicki Concannon of Texas; Linda Collins, Michael and Joyce Moran, David and Kathy Moran, Matthew and Mateal Poling and daughter Mikaela, Linda Shomo, Mike Elza, Kathy Timmons, Reba Moore, Terry Damon and Tucker, and a host of friends and neighbors, all of W.Va.; Nay Chapel Church; and our town of Elkins.
On July 12, Moran continued her birthday month by traveling to Ohio, where she enjoyed more time with family, attended the Lavender Festival in Orrville, the Peach Festival in Wooster, recognized the brick imprinted “John H. Moran, Jr., U.S. Army World War II, European Theater” at the All Veterans Memorial in Canal Fulton, visited an Amish Farm in West Salem where she witnessed the family doing chores in much the same way she remembers doing chores as a young girl. And, at the Peddlers’ Market in Lodi, Moran was a sensation singing and dancing to the band playing, “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”
Moran was born July 10, 1923, to William and Lavinia Poling. On June 13, 1943, she married John Moran, Jr., a member of the US Army Air Corps and later of the U.S. Army 8th Division, 121st Infantry.
During World War II, he served in the European Theater, earning for his service, among other commendations, the Bronze Star, two battle stars, and the Purple Heart. John H. Moran, Jr., passed away on July 24, 1956.
Mrs. Moran is the mother of three daughters, Linda Sharon Collins, Greta Kuhl, and Vera Hammond. She has six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
Moran is a former Randolph County Belle, a former member of the Weaver’s Guild, and of Rebeckah Lodge 98. She is currently a member of Nay Chapel near Sand Run in Upshur County, and of the John Hart Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 3627.
On Oct, 3, as a Rosie the Riveter of Randolph County, Moran was again honored to serve as the Honorary Grand Marshall of the 88th Mountain State Forest Festival Parade.
On Oct 26, at the Rosie the Riveter Statue in the Veterans Park in Elkins, Moran looks forward to the historic planting of the first Rosie Tulip in the world.
When asked to what she attributes her long, exceptional life, Moran often answers, “Always try to do the right thing and just keep moving.”