Honoring Our Heroes | Bill Miller and Beckley’s Veterans Day Celebration
Dr. Ramon Stuart welcomes entrepreneur and community leader Bill Miller to this episode of Our Community University Today, a program connecting West Virginia University Institute of Technology with the communities of southern West Virginia. Together, they explore what it means to live out the phrase “the community is the university, and the university is the community.” Bill shares his journey from Delaware to Beckley, choosing to stay not for profit but for people—highlighting the warmth, generosity, and resilience that define southern West Virginia’s way of life.
In their conversation, Bill recalls his transition from the corporate retail world into the insurance industry and his growing involvement in community service. His passion for history and honoring those who served our nation led him to collect World War II military vehicles and restore them with a team of volunteers. What began as a hobby soon became a heartfelt mission to honor veterans, fueled by stories from his father, a World War II veteran, and by friendships with other servicemen who inspired him to give back.
Dr. Stuart and Bill then discuss how that mission grew into Beckley’s annual Veterans Day Celebration—a community-wide effort that goes beyond a parade to include luncheons, educational outreach, and family-centered activities. Bill explains how partnerships with local leaders like Lisa Strader and Jill Morfield helped turn the idea into a thriving, multi-day celebration of service. Through their collaboration, the event has become a symbol of community unity, gratitude, and intergenerational learning.
The episode closes with a call to action for listeners: honor veterans not just by watching the parade but by engaging personally—offering rides, volunteering, and teaching young people about the sacrifices that preserve freedom. Dr. Stuart reminds the audience that every act of appreciation strengthens the bond between the university and the community. Listeners are invited to learn more about the Veterans Day events and ongoing efforts to build a brighter southern West Virginia by visiting www.nrradio.com
