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WHEELING -- The American Legion Post 1 of Wheeling received national recognition Wednesday for its volunteer efforts during the deadly June 14, 2025, flash floods in Triadelphia, Elm Grove and Valley Grove.
John Powell, past department commander, said Post 1 received the National Emergency Fund Excellence Award from the American Legion's National Headquarters during a ceremony Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky.
He said Post 1 receiving the award was a "humbling" experience.
"It's not something we did for recognition. We just did it," he said. "It's nice to receive recognition, but at the time it was clearly something that needed to be done."
During the flood recovery and cleanup efforts, Post 1 members and volunteers cooked and distributed meals to people in need. About 700 meals per day were prepared.
"As veterans, we're a mission oriented group. We see a problem and we take care of it. We don't think about why, we just get it done," he said. "We were also able to give several thousands of dollars to victims of the flood and veterans in the area."
Powell said Post 1 was nominated for the honor by the West Virginia American Legion. He said just two other American Legion posts in the country received the award.
Accepting the award on behalf of Post 1 were Powell, Post 1 Commander Tom Abell, Post Auxiliary President Michelle Powell and Richard Crumb, past department commander.
Powell said an interesting side note is that Post 1 received a similar award in 1936 because of its volunteer efforts during the Flood of 1936.
During the June 14, 2025, flood, nine people died: Lisa McMasters, 59, of Triadelphia; Michael Bokanovich, 73, of Triadelphia; Travis Creighton, 19, of Triadelphia; Kyleigh Minch Shotton, 26, of Triadelphia, and her 3-year-old daughter, Parker Shotton; Michael Veronis, 74, of Moundsville, and his wife, Connie Veronis, 71, of Moundsville; and Sandra Kay Parsons, 83, of Triadelphia. A memorial dedicated to them is located beside Triadelphia United Methodist Church at 189 National Road.