From Our Leaders

Thanks! Plain and Simple is apolitical. Plain and simple, we hold as unarguable the wellbeing of our people in the military, as part of our concern for the value of people. It is rare, indeed, for a West Virginian to say that we cannot avoid political arguments, such as for or against the war in Iraq. West Virginians are glad for ways to show you our concerns, no matter what our persuasions and differences.

“Apolitical” does not mean that we do not have support of political leaders. Here are some quotes so far from various kinds of leaders, even at this early stage in Thanks! Plain and Simple’s efforts to give West Virginians ways to show we care about you, to remind you of home, and to help you find ways to contribute your skills and training in West Virginia.

JOE MANCHIN III, GOVERNOR, West Virginia

. . . in “Thanks! Plain and Simple,” it is clear that you are dedicated to showing that West Virginia is a leader in caring about our citizens. Because I believe that West Virginians do care about people, I believe we can come together in spiritual unity to express our basic concern for our citizens in the armed services, regardless of political or denominational affiliations. I am genuinely pleased that you are trying to do this.

Governor Manchin presents a Blenko vase, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, May, 7, 2005, thirty years after the end of the Vietnam War.

Note: the group to the right includes Ron Wroblewski (with dark cap), H. Woody Williams (in red), and Larry Lynch (in suit), Director of the West Virginia Division of Veterans’ Affairs.

DR. ALBERT WALKER is the 12th president of Bluefield State College

Recently, in his office, President Walker, in his gracious way, told us of his role in the military – it was to notify the families of the death someone killed in the service.

A poem about the experience of a family being notified, has been offered to Thanks! Plain and Simple anonymously. Hopefully, Dr. Walker will read it this spring at our Premier Concert or at Thanks! Plain and Simple Day. (Watch for dates on Schedule, on this site.)

Dr. Walker, with all his accomplishments, has taught in pubic schools and higher education, as well as served in the military.

It was in Dr. Walker’s office that we first saw the photo of the fog coming into Bluefield, by Marvin Grubbs, in Bluefield, which we have on our home page

NICK J. RAYHALL, III. Member of United States Congress

Thanks! Plain and Simple is a welcome venue that gives people a way to express their concern for our citizen in the armed services, regardless of political or denominational affiliations. I am genuinely pleased and supportive of your efforts to make this happen.

VIC SPROUSE, SENATOR, Republican, Minority Leader, West Virginia State Legislature

We need a unified venue where all of West Virginians can express our gratitude to the troops. “Thanks! Plain and Simple” helps us do just that.

I appreciate your hard work and recommend that all of West Virginia join this worthwhile project.

DAN FOSTER, SENATOR, Democrat, West Virginia Legislature

I am well aware of your work to create and launch, “Thanks! Plain and Simple” and your other efforts to help show the rare beauty in West Virginia’s people, spirit, history and culture and its great value to American. As I have watched this project evolve over many months, I have been pleased at your skill as well as your deeply- rooted desire to express our authentic concern for people, home and place. . .

Thanks! Plain and Simple is a needed attempt to help people express unity and the well-being of our citizens, apart from politics and other systems that often divide us. . . I thank you for all you have done and you will do.

H. WOODY WILLIAMS, Medal of Honor Recipient, United States Marine Corps and Chaplain.

West Virginians have always supported West Virginians, and a program such as "THANKS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE" will be another proof positive that we have not and will not forget.

See FROM OUR HISTORY, to sign a petition to name a US Naval ship for Woody Williams, which has been spearheaded by Ron Wroblewski, a key figure for Thanks! Plain and Simple.