Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served, and on this day, we remember, honor, and stand united in respect for our veterans.

Belmont County is home to many local heroes, and we are patriotic and proud of our veterans. You can see that patriotism as you drive down Main Street in St. Clairsville when the veteran banners are hung on the light poles and flags displayed in many storefronts. A visit to the Tri-State Military Veterans Museum in Belmont will leave you in awe of the impact our veterans have made in history.

The Tri-State Military Veterans Museum, formerly known as the Belmont County Military Veterans Museum, is dedicated to honoring Belmont County’s veterans and educating future generations on the price of freedom. The museum is managed by Kim Kuthy, director, and Cheryl Skinner, assistant director, and located within the American Legion Post 312 in Belmont.

Before you even step foot into the museum, you encounter the “Heroes Wall Honored Forever,” a memorial to all who have served and who are currently serving our country. It’s a remembrance for their bravery and sacrifice. There are 2,640 veterans’ names on the wall, including two new panels that were added this past year. The front panels contain the names of veterans from the Revolutionary War to World War I, with World War II through the present day on the backside.

Once you are inside the museum, you will be amazed at how much their collection holds, and the stories and history that are remembered and told. The museum’s collection includes a Civil War reenactor costume, full-dress uniforms from World War I, many photos, discharge papers, newspapers, uniforms, coins, and artifacts from every war.

Ninety-seven percent of what is on display has been donated to the museum.

The Tri-State Military Veterans Museum is a hidden gem of our county. I invite you to plan a visit, they will be open from noon to 5pm on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and by appointment throughout the winter season. You can find out more by calling 740-761-0155 or visiting their website at tristatemvm.org.

The St. Clairsville Veteran banner project is sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Clairsville, and in partnership with the Belmont County Tourism office, photos and stories about the featured veterans can be found online at www.visitbelmontcounty.com/honoring-our-veterans.

This Veteran’s Day and all year long I invite you to celebrate and honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. They are true heroes, and we are lucky to have so many to honor right here in Belmont County.

To find out more about all upcoming events happening in Belmont County, go to our website at visitbelmontcounty.com. Also, if you are planning events for 2024, please use the calendar event submission form on our website. We are your community partner, and here to help promote all the upcoming events happening right here, in friendly, beautiful, Belmont County.