The featured speakers for the June 9 dinner meeting of the Richland Ruritans were Shirley White, the past President of the West Virginia Gold Star Mothers, and Belinda Jividan, the current president of the WV Gold Star Mothers.
The American Gold Star Mothers were organized in 1928 and chartered by Congress in 1984. The organization is made up of ladies who have suffered the loss of a son or daughter in the service to our country. It is a support group offering companionship and comfort to other families who have suffered the loss of a family member in the service. The Gold Star Mothers work to keep the memory of their sons and daughter alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families and our communities.
The speakers displayed for the Ruritans the National Remembrance Flag that was created by the Honor and Remember organization. The H & R organization is dedicated to the perpetual recognition of our military fallen heroes and their families. The Remembrance flag flies at the West Virginia state capital and at national cemeteries.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the Richland Ruritans voted to make a donation to the Gold Star Mothers and to purchase a National Remembrance Flag to fly at their meeting location.
Other Ruritan business conducted at the meeting was to recognize Frank Tuckwiller, the Zone 2 governor. Frank was awarded a Certificate of Honor for services to the Lower West Virginia District of the Ruritans. The club also voted a donation to fund a scholarship to the Greenbrier Youth Camp.
The July meeting will be the annual picnic for members and their families at the Calvary Methodist Church on July 14.
The Richlands Ruritans club meets on the second Wednesday of each month for a dinner meeting at the Calvary Methodist Church on Route 60W. The Ruritan Civic organization is a national network of clubs working together for a stronger America. The Ruritans’ focus is to support community services in small towns and rural communities across America. The Ruritans were founded in 1928 in Holland, Virginia and celebrated their 93rd year last May. The Richlands Ruritans Club provides scholarships to local college students and 4-H campers and maintains Tuckwiller Park.