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Lynch the keynote speaker at Forest Festival dinner

By Brooke Binns 9 min read

ELKINS -- This year's Mountain State Forest Festival Distinguished Guest Dinner keynote speaker encouraged those in the audience Thursday night to never give up.

Jessica Lynch, West Virginia native and former prisoner of war, spoke to those in attendance at the Phil Gainer Community Center about her experience in Iraq, telling them to always have hope and persevere.

In March 2003, Lynch's unit was ambushed in Iraq and she was taken into captivity, being held without food or water for nine days.

Lynch explained that her unit became separated from their convoy and lost in the deserts of Iraq.

"We became further and further lost; finally, on the morning of March 23rd, after our GPS stopped working … they finally went to paper maps and our commander told us where we needed to go," she said. "Unfortunately, that led us into what is now called Nasiriyah -- this is the morning of March 23rd that we reached the city. It was approximately 5 a.m. and most of the Iraqis were still asleep, and we thought we would keep moving through the city for as long as we could. The further we got into the city, more and more Iraqis started waking up and coming outside to see what was happening."

She went on to say that her unit heard the first gun shot after about 30 minutes.

"By this point, the Iraqis were standing on top of their rooftops, looking out their windows and hiding wherever they could find," she said. "We were literally like ducks in the middle of a pond, we had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and nowhere to go."

"Before we knew it, we were in a complete ambush," she said. "As we were making our way through the city, we were hit by an RPG, or rocket-propelled grenade."

During the ambush, Lynch sustained many injuries, including a head laceration, a broken femur and a broken back.

Lynch spoke about her days being held captive, remembering she remained fearful the day she was rescued.

"On April 1, I could hear noise that I had not heard the entire time, and I could hear the helicopters and I could hear the Humvees, and then I could hear men," she said. "Even though this was in English, I was still so scared. Then, as the noise progressed and got louder and louder, I could hear one of the men yelling 'Where is Private Lynch?' … When those American voices got louder and closer, (the Iraqis) were instructed to leave the room and then, in came our Navy Seals, our Army Rangers, and they placed an American flag inside of my hand and said, 'We're American soldiers and we're here to take you home.'"

Despite all she has gone through, Lynch said she is blessed.

"I just want to say that no matter what you guys are going through in life, just continue to persevere, have hope and never give up," she said. "I know that we all have struggles and obstacles that we must overcome, so never give up, persevere and keep striving."

Other distinguished guests spoke on the beauty of the region, the kindness of its people, and how both are highlighted and showcased by the Mountain State Forest Festival.

Elkins Mayor Van Broughton said, "As West Virginia's oldest and largest festival, it gives the city a chance to showcase its beauty, its people, its culture and its historical resources. Few places in America can boast such stunning scenery, treasured traditions and friendly citizens as we have in Elkins and the surrounding areas."

Randolph County Commission President Mike Taylor said, "Randolph County and the entire Potomac Highlands region represents one of the most scenic parts of the Mountain State, but we're much more than just another pretty place. Arts, music, outdoor recreation, history, shopping and numerous other exciting authentic adventures await all year-round. In the fall, the foliage that covers our mountains is second to none. Whether you drive through the hills, take a train ride, hike or just sit on a park bench, the splendor is everywhere."

Davis & Elkins College President Chris Wood recognized eight of the institution's students who are part of this year's royal court, including six princesses, Maid of Honor Hannah Rose Shiflett and Maid Silvia LXXXII Alia Danae Figueroa, noting they all represent the school well.

Trevor Kiess, the official Mountaineer mascot for West Virginia University, and also an Elkins native and former scepter bearer for the MSFF, said he believes the festival is one of the "best traditions" in the state.

"The Forest Festival truly represents all that is wonderful about Elkins -- our sense of community, our rich traditions, our immense pride in where we are from and our abundance of hospitality," he said. "Over all of these years, despite changing goals, despite changing people, one thing will always remain the same -- the Mountain State Forest Festival is the best tradition in the entire state of West Virginia, and I am so incredibly honored to call this wonderful town home."

Several past queens and maids of honor were in attendance for the dinner, including Queen Silvia LXXXI Morgan Alyssa Stephens, who offered words of encouragement to the future queen.

"Being Queen Silvia the 81st was truly a royal experience. Festival week went above and beyond my expectations, thanks to all of Randolph County," she said. "To Alia, when everyone says that coronation day comes and goes in the blink of an eye, they truly mean it. When you're standing at the top of the hill tomorrow, I hope that you stop and take a deep breath and cherish every second that you spend here."

The 40 2018 Mountain State Forest Festival princesses were recognized on Thursday evening in addition to Maids of Honor Shiflett and Grace Marie Lindsay.

The following is the schedule for the 82nd Mountain State Forest Festival:

TODAY

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Randolph County Senior Bazaar, Randolph County Senior Center, Railroad Avenue

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: City Park Events, Elkins City Park

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: GFWC Women's Club of Elkins Juried Arts & Crafts Show, Memorial Gymnasium/Martin Field House of Davis & Elkins College, 100 Campus Dr.

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Mountain State Forest Festival Crafts & More, First United Methodist Church, Kerens Avenue

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Photography Exhibit/Contest Elkins/Randolph County YMCA, 400 Davis Ave.

9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Log Cabin Quilters: Free Quilt Show, Elkins/Randolph County YMCA, 400 Davis Ave.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Forestry and Wood Products Exhibit & WV Christmas Tree Growers Assoc. Exhibit, Elkins/Randolph County YMCA, 400 Davis Ave.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Primitive Campground Exhibit, Davis & Elkins College Front Campus Lawn, 100 Campus Dr.

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Mountain Weavers Guild Darden Mill Museum/Art Gallery, 2 1/2 Railroad Ave.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Queen's Ball, Phil Gainer Event Center, 142, Robert E. Lee Ave. Ext.

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: The Arts Center Juried Art Exhibit Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue

11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Information Booth Open, Downtown Elkins, corner of Davis Avenue and Third Street, Davis Avenue

1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Pre-Coronation Music & Entertainment, Outdoor Amphitheatre of Davis & Elkins College

2 p.m.: Coronation of Maid Silvia LXXXII Special Music by Dr. Andrew Montgomery, Outdoor Amphitheatre of Davis & Elkins College

3 p.m.: King BMX & Action Sports Stunt Show, Downtown Elkins, Fourth Street & Davis Avenue

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Elkins High School Alumni Association Open House, American Legion, 326 Railroad Ave.

6 p.m.: King BMX & Action Sports Stunt Show, Downtown Elkins, Fourth Street & Davis Avenue

8 p.m.: Elkins Volunteer Fire Dept. Fireman's Parade Downtown Elkins

9:30 p.m.: Mountain State Forest Festival Block Party Hosted by El Gran Sabor Kerens Avenue, Downtown Elkins

SATURDAY

8 a.m.: Lumberjack Contest, Outdoor Amphitheatre of Davis & Elkins College

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Arts Center Juried Art Exhibit, Randolph County Community Arts Center, Randolph Avenue

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Log Cabin Quilters: Free Quilt Show, Elkins/Randolph County Y.M.C.A., 400 Davis Ave.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Photography Exhibit/Contest, Elkins/Randolph County YMCA, 400 Davis Ave.

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: City Park Events, Elkins City Park

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: GFWC Women's Club of Elkins Juried Arts & Crafts Show, Memorial Gymnasium/Martin Field House of Davis & Elkins College

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Mountain State Forest Festival Crafts & More, First United Methodist Church, Kerens Avenue

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Primitive Campground Exhibit, Davis & Elkins College Front Campus Lawn, 100 Campus Dr.

9 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Forestry and Wood Products Exhibit and WV Christmas Tree Growers Association, Elkins/Randolph County Y.M.C.A., 400 Davis Ave.

9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Mountain Weavers Guild, Darden Mill Museum/Art Gallery, 2 1/2 Railroad Avenue

10 a.m.. to 5 p.m.: Information Booth, Downtown Elkins, corner of Davis Avenue and Third Street, Davis Avenue

10:30 a.m.: Miniature Horse Show Presented by the West Virginia Any Mini Horse Club, Davis & Elkins College Front Campus Lawn, 100 Campus Dr.

11 a.m.: King BMX & Action Sports Stunt Show, Downtown Elkins, Fourth Street & Davis Avenue

1 p.m.: Antique and Classic Street Rod Car Parade, Twelfth Street down Davis Avenue up Randolph Avenue

1:15 p.m.: Special Units and Log Truck Parade, Twelfth Street down Davis Avenue up Randolph Avenue

1:30 p.m.: Grand Feature Parade

4:45 p.m.: Band Field Show, Wimer Field, South Davis Avenue

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Downtown Stage Entertainment Gracie Metheny, Downtown Stage, Elkins Town Square

7:30 p.m.: Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show Featuring Sawyer Brown Myles Center for the Arts/Harper-McNeeley Auditorium of Davis & Elkins College

9:30 p.m.: Mountain State Forest Festival Block Party Hosted by El Gran Sabor, Kerens Avenue, Downtown Elkins

SUNDAY

7 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Buckwheat Cake and Sausage Feed, Izaak Walton League America, Mountaineer Chapter Lodge, Files Creek Road

10 a.m.: Muzzle Loading Contest, Tygart Valley Muzzleloading Range, Files Creek Road

2 p.m.: Official Closing Ceremony, Federal Building Plaza

Starting at /week.