LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – The Parade of Lights celebrated in Lewisburg on Monday, Sept. 11, was a grand success. An incredible 48 vehicles participated, representing the many communities in Greenbrier County fire and rescue, Homeland Security and law enforcement.
The first Parade of Lights to commemorate victims and rescuers of the Twin Towers and those involved in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon was held eight years ago and founded by Eddie Midkiff of the Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department. That first year, the parade began at the Walmart parking lot and included about 15 apparatus (vehicles).
This year, bright and shiny fire trucks, ambulances, and support vehicles trailed down Route 219 from the West Virginia Fairgrounds to the Lowe’s Plaza north of Lewisburg and back just after sunset. The West Virginia Regional Response Team, Greenbrier County Sheriff, along with fire and rescue from Lindside, Alderson, Rainelle, Fairlea, Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs and other Greenbrier County communities.
Afterward, a candlelight vigil was held at the Cecil Underwood Building at the fairgrounds. The units were all lined up during the late afternoon for public view as a “show and tell.”
The Greenbrier County Sheriff and State Police conducted a youth ID tent for area parents to create an ID card, similar to a driver’s license, for their children. More opportunities for this will be located at Autumn Fest in Frankford, in Rupert on Oct. 7, and at Ronceverte Fall Fest on Oct. 22.
