BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Community members gathered at the Clover Club in downtown Bluefield to honor the newest recipient of the American Legion Riley-Vest Post Nine’s Distinguished Citizen Award on Thursday.
The award is in its 87th year of being given out. This year’s recipient is Gene Bailey who received the award for his dedication to the community. He’s credited with giving out numerous scholarships to those pursuing higher education and volunteering his own time to countless organizations over the years.
Some of those organizations include the Bluefield Country Club, the chamber of commerce and the American Legion.
Bailey said he was shocked to be selected for the award during Thursday’s ceremony.
“I just think that we should always put service above self in everything that we do. I would say in quoting Winston Churchill, we might make a living in what we get but we make a true life by what we give to others,” said Bailey.
Bailey, a Bluewell native also served in the U.S. Army before returning to Mercer County.
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