Gene Vance Jr. Day is a commemorative Military Appreciation Day named for Gene Arden Vance Jr. and recognized annually during May in the United States by the State of West Virginia. Occurring during Military Appreciation Month and U.S. Armed Forces Week, it honors the legacy of American soldiers who returned home from the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and the Iraq War (2003-11), together the longest ongoing wars in U.S. history, remembers and mourns the fallen and supports the wounded. Official observances are proclaimed annually on May 18 in the City of Morgantown, West Virginia in a citywide ceremony that includes official proclamations, state and local governmental and military leadership addresses and greetings, wreath laying memorializing the names of fallen soldiers from West Virginia, guest speakers and participation from national organizations, musical performances and events to raise awareness for those wounded in the conflict. The day is organized annually by the Gene Vance Jr. Foundation, the West Virginia Army National Guard, City of Morgantown and State of West Virginia.
Framing the Gene Vance Jr. Day are two other U.S. military appreciation days that occur nationally in May, Armed Forces Day, which honors those currently serving followed by Memorial Day, a public holiday honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The Gene Vance Jr. Day is distinct from other U.S. military appreciation days in that it is named for an American military hero and specifically honors American service members and their allies who served and were wounded after the September 11 terrorist attacks as well as those who perished in the conflict.
COVID-19 pandemic
On May 16, 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, founder of the day Michael M.J. Minc spearheaded the 9th annual Gene Vance Jr. Day by creating a virtual event on US Armed Forces Day that also recognized everyone involved in the fight against COVID-19. Entitled ‘United in Spirit’ it brought together national government leaders like Senators Joseph Manchin III, Shelley Moore Capito, WV Governor Jim Justice, Morgantown Mayor Bill Kawecki, military leaders like Adjutant General of the West Virginia Army National Guard, Major General James A. Hoyer, education leaders E. Gordon Gee of West Virginia University and President Mirta Martin of Fairmont State University as well as those on the frontlines of the pandemic.
The goal of the virtual ceremony was to inspire hope and unite people during a time of global social and economic disruption on a day which historically honors those on the front lines of the Global War on Terror. It included President David S. Goldberg, C.E.O of Mon Health System, the parent company of Mon Health Medical Center, prayer from Christian and Jewish religious leaders along with local musical performers like Davisson Brothers Band, American Idol contestant and country musician Cody Clayton Eagle, Morgantown Vox Principalis Choral Association, Singer songwriters Eric Lewis and Rick Martin.
Presidential and congressional commendation
On May 15, 2021 Vance’s brother-in-law and founder of the day Michael M.J. Minc, spearheaded a virtual tribute on U.S. Armed Forces Day to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Gene Vance Jr. Day and commemorate the 20th Anniversary year of the September 11 attacks. It also honored the memory of COVID-19 pandemic victims and encouraged COVID-19 vaccination in the United States in support of ongoing mass immunization efforts.
Entitled ‘United in Spirit 2021, American Tribute 10’, it received a letter of commendation from the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden who is also commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces, praising the Gene Vance Jr. Foundation’s efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for wounded veterans.
The 10th Gene Vance Jr. Day brought together prominent U.S. government and military leaders with commendation messages from Senators Joseph Manchin III, Shelley Moore Capito and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. General Austin S. Miller, former commander of U.S. Army and NATO forces in Afghanistan, State Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, Brigadier General William Crane, Colonel Gary M Hausman, former Commandant of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and Command Sergeant Major Dennis Riggs of Vance’s unit the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) also participated.