Governor Patrick Morrisey formally announced that the State of West Virginia has requested the posthumous award of the Purple Heart for U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the same honor for Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe of the West Virginia National Guard for their service and sacrifice while protecting the nation’s capital in Washington, DC. Specialist Beckstrom was killed in action, and Staff Sergeant Wolfe was critically injured in the attack.
“Their actions on that tragic day meet the highest and clearest standards for the Purple Heart, a decoration that recognizes those wounded or killed in action against an enemy or during a hostile or terrorist act,” Governor Morrisey said. “I could not think of two servicemembers more deserving of this award.”
Governor Morrisey also reflected on the wide-ranging service accomplishments of the National Guard and Department of Veterans Assistance in 2025.
The National Guard executed global missions, including deployments to the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. Southwest border. The Guard was also instrumental in responding to two major flooding events in the state. In February 2025, over 350 service members mobilized across 14 counties, conducting swift-water rescues, distributing nearly 340,000 bottles of water, and clearing over 17,000 tons of debris. A separate response to flash flooding in Ohio and Marion Counties in June 2025 saw nearly 200 Guard members clearing an additional 12,000 tons of debris.
When the federal government shutdown in October, the National Guard stepped up to ensure West Virginia families in need had access to meals, with 164 servicemembers distributing more than a million pounds of food to more than 400 food pantries.
The Governor also highlighted work by the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance over the last year, with Services Officers securing $5.4 billion in federal benefits for West Virginia veterans, a half-billion-dollar increase from 2024.
In addition to securing benefits, the department advanced major modernization projects for its facilities. The Veterans Home in Barboursville received upgrades to the kitchen, infirmary, and HVAC systems. Concurrently, major renovations are underway at the Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, including the construction of a new kitchen and a modern Nurse Call System.
“Taking care of the common, everyday issues can make a huge difference in our everyday lives; and that’s just what Veterans Assistance is doing with these upgrades. Our veterans are fantastic people who don’t ask for much, and it’s great to see this great work being done on their behalf,” Governor Morrisey concluded.
