West Virginia's National Guard: A Double-Edged Sword

West Virginia has a strong military culture. Many bridges and streets honor local veterans. This is a state with one of the highest numbers of veterans per person in the country. For many, joining the military, including the National Guard, is not just about duty. It's also about finding jobs and opportunities, especially in poorer areas. Two National Guard members from West Virginia were recently involved in a shooting near the White House. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom died, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was injured. They were part of a deployment to Washington, D. C. , led by President Trump. The goal was to reduce crime, but some people question if this was really necessary. Beckstrom grew up in a small town called Webster Springs. Kenny Kidd, a school bus driver, remembers her as a friendly and helpful person. He says job options in the area are limited. Coal mining is declining, and there aren't many other jobs available. The National Guard offers financial benefits, like bonuses and extra pay, which can be very helpful for young adults. At a prayer vigil for Wolfe, Air Force Staff Sergeant Jason Mitchell talked about why he joined the Guard. He needed to pay off college debt. Mitchell has served for 13 years and plans to stay for another seven to get full retirement benefits. He says the Guard provides good opportunities, especially for those who are struggling financially. However, not everyone supports the deployment to Washington. Some people think it's a waste of resources. They argue that the Guard members are doing tasks like cleaning up instead of focusing on security. This has led to criticism from both Democratic lawmakers and state newspapers. Gov. Patrick Morrisey defends the deployment, saying it's part of West Virginia's history of military service. But many people in the state are questioning the decision. They wonder if sending the National Guard to Washington is really necessary or if it's just political theater. Roseanna Groves, who is related to Beckstrom, is angry about the situation. She blames former President Biden for letting the attacker into the country, even though it happened under Trump's administration. She also thinks the deployment was a bad idea. Kidd, the school bus driver, agrees. He believes the deployment has become more about politics than anything else.