Submitted photo Navy Vice Admiral J. Dan McCarthey, Retired, former Rotary District 7545 Governor and chair of the state-wide Elkins Gold Star Family Memorial Monument committee (left) presents Elkins Rotarians Kristie Vandevander, Phillips Kolsun and Tammie Rizzio with Platinum Sponsor recognition for the Elkins club’s part in bringing the project to completion.

ELKINS — Navy Vice Admiral J. Dan McCarthy, Retired, past Rotary District 7545 Governor and chair of the state-wide committee tasked with bringing the Elkins Gold Star Family Memorial Monument to fruition, recognized the Elkins Rotary Club as a Platinum Sponsor for the project and presented the club with a memento in recognition of its achievement. The club worked in conjunction with the committee comprised of Rotarians from Rotary District 7545 as well as a representative of Randolph County Gold Star families and the West Virginia Department of the American Legion on this project. “The Rotary Club of Elkins was the largest single Rotary donor to the project. Their significant support and financial contributions are also recognized on one of the benches at the memorial. The Rotary Club of Milton, Woody Williams’ home Rotary Club, and Rotary District 7545 were also honored with benches at the memorial,” said McCarthy.

The club met at Graceland Inn and Restaurant for an end-of-summer picnic, bringing both members and family members together for an evening of fellowship and recognition. In addition to presenting the club with its Platinum award, club member Kristie Vandevander was recognized as a member of the state-wide committee. The chain of Elkins Rotary Club Presidents that provided leadership to the club during the monument’s development and dedication was also recognized: club presidents Kristie Vandevander, Kenny George, Tammie Rizzio and Phillips Kolsun.

“I would also like to thank Elkins Mayor and fellow Rotarian Jerry Marco for his support and leadership for this project,” said McCarthy

Hershel “Woody” Williams, a native of Quiet Dell, West Virginia, and the last World War II Medal of Honor Recipient to pass away, devoted his life to honoring and serving Gold Star Families. A Gold Star Family is one that has experienced the loss of a loved one – an immediate family member – who died as the result of active-duty military service. In 2013, the Woody Williams Foundation was established to assist in the construction of permanent Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments throughout the United States, to conduct Gold Star Families Outreach across the country, and to provide Living Legacy scholarships to eligible Gold Star Family members. To date, the Foundation has been responsible for establishing 140 Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments across the U.S. with 47 additional monuments in the works, including one in Martinsburg. The Elkins Monument became the 12th completed monument in West Virginia when it was dedicated on July 5th of this year.

McCarthy concluded his remarks with the presentation of Challenge Coins to all members of the club, representing their collective donations to make this project a reality. In McCarthy’s words: “Without the strong support and leadership provided by The Rotary Club of Elkins, this monument would not have been possible.”

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club’s Facebook page — Rotary Club of Elkins — or contact 2025-2026 club president Phillips Kolsun at phillipskolsun@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.